When working with Excel formulas, understanding logical functions is crucial. One of the most useful logical functions is OR. But how does OR work in Excel? In this article, I’ll break down how the OR function operates and provide the best OR examples to help you make the most of it.
Understanding the OR Function in Excel
The OR function in Excel is a logical function that returns TRUE if at least one of the provided conditions is true and FALSE only if all conditions are false. It is commonly used in combination with other functions like IF, AND, and NOT.
The syntax of the OR function is straightforward:
=OR(logical1, [logical2], ...)Arguments:
logical1– The first condition to evaluate.[logical2], ...– Additional conditions (optional, up to 255 conditions).
How OR Works in Excel – Examples
Basic OR Function Example
Let’s start with a simple example: Checking if at least one of two numbers is greater than 50.
=OR(A1>50, B1>50)If either A1 or B1 contains a number greater than 50, the result will be TRUE. Otherwise, it returns FALSE.
Using OR Inside an IF Function
The OR function is often paired with IF to create conditional statements. Suppose I want to classify orders as “Urgent” if they exceed 100 units or the due date is before today.
=IF(OR(A2>100, B2<TODAY()), "Urgent", "Normal")This formula checks if the quantity in A2 is greater than 100 or the delivery date in B2 is in the past. If either condition is true, it returns “Urgent”; otherwise, it returns “Normal”.
OR with Conditional Formatting
OR is also useful in conditional formatting. Imagine I want to highlight sales figures that are either below $200 or above $1000.
- Select the data range (e.g.,
A2:A100). - Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.
- Select “Use a formula to determine which cells to format”.
- Enter this formula:
=OR(A2<200, A2>1000)After setting a formatting style, values outside the $200–$1000 range will be highlighted.
Combining OR with AND
Sometimes, I need a more complex condition that requires mixing OR and AND. For example, suppose I want to check if a student passes when:
- Math score is above 50 OR Science score is above 50
- AND Attendance is at least 75%
=IF(AND(OR(B2>50, C2>50), D2>=75), "Pass", "Fail")This ensures the student passes only if they meet the attendance requirement and at least one subject requirement.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
While the OR function is simple, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common errors:
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| #VALUE! error | Using text instead of logical values | Ensure that all evaluated values are numbers or cell references with logical values. |
| Unexpected FALSE output | All conditions evaluate to FALSE | Check if your conditions are correct, especially when working with mixed data types. |
Final Thoughts
The OR function in Excel is a powerful logical tool that can simplify decision-making formulas. Whether you’re using it on its own, with IF, or in conjunction with other functions, mastering OR will make your spreadsheets smarter and more efficient. Keep practicing with real data, and you’ll soon be using OR like a pro!
Other interesting article:
How AND works in Excel? Best AND examples