How to sum scores and drop the lowest in Excel
Formula (Excel and Google Sheets)
=SUM(B2:F2)-MIN(B2:F2)Subtract the smallest score from the total: =SUM(B2:F2)-MIN(B2:F2), filled down for each student.
- Result on the example
- one result per row in
G2, filled down toG6 - Works in
- Every current version
- Google Sheets
- Same formula
See it work
The formula is already in G2, filled down to G6. Change any input and the result updates, or edit the formula to experiment.
How it works
SUM adds all five quizzes and MIN finds the lowest, which is then taken away. If two quizzes tie for lowest, only one of them is dropped, which is the usual grading rule. Dan's missed quiz, entered as 0, is the one dropped.
=SUM(B2:F2)-MIN(B2:F2)Result70
B2:F21 row × 5 cols: 18, 15, 20, 12, …A range: 5 cells in one row.
SUM(B2:F2)82SUM: Adds numbers and ranges. Skips text and blanks.- number1
B2:F21 row × 5 cols: 18, 15, 20, 12, …
- number1
MIN(B2:F2)12MIN: Smallest number.- number1
B2:F21 row × 5 cols: 18, 15, 20, 12, …
- number1
SUM(B2:F2)-MIN(B2:F2)70The - operator subtracts.
In Google Sheets
The same formula works in Google Sheets: =SUM(B2:F2)-MIN(B2:F2). We ran it in Google Sheets mode on the same data and it returns the same results.
Other ways to do it
Each one was run on the same example sheet.
| Formula | Result | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| =SUM(LARGE(B2:F2,{1,2,3,4})) | 70, 67, 77… | Adds the four best scores directly; change the ranks to keep a different number. |
Common mistakes
- A missed quiz left blank is ignored by MIN, so a real score gets dropped instead. Enter 0 for missed work.
- Locking the range with
$would give every student the first student's total. Leave it relative so it moves down.
Try it yourself
Same data, empty answer cell. Your formula is graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data, so a typed-in number won't pass.
Sum scores and drop the lowest
G2, total the student's quizzes without the lowest one, then fill down to G6.Questions
How do I drop the two lowest scores?
Subtract the two smallest: =SUM(B2:F2)-SMALL(B2:F2,1)-SMALL(B2:F2,2).
How do I average after dropping the lowest?
Divide by one fewer: =(SUM(B2:F2)-MIN(B2:F2))/(COUNT(B2:F2)-1).
Checked by running on 2026-10-30: every formula and result on this page was calculated by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine, in both Excel and Google Sheets modes.