MS Excel: logical functions

When working with logical comparisons in Excel, most users are familiar with AND and OR. However, Excel also offers a lesser-known yet powerful logic function called XOR—short for "Exclusive OR". The XOR function evaluates two or more logical conditions and returns TRUE only when an odd number of the conditions are true. It's particularly useful for scenarios where you want to ensure that only one of several conditions is true, but not both (or not all).

Excel formulas often rely on logical values like TRUE and FALSE to make decisions. These values form the foundation for conditions, comparisons, filters, and complex calculations. While you may encounter TRUE frequently as a result of a comparison (=A1=100), Excel also includes a standalone TRUE function. This article explores what TRUE is, how and when to use it, and why it’s essential for building reliable, logic-driven spreadsheets.

When you're dealing with multiple conditions in Excel—especially when checking a single value against several options—nested IF statements can get messy. That’s where the SWITCH function shines. It provides a clean, readable, and efficient way to test one value against many possibilities. The SWITCH function compares a single expression against a list of values and returns a result corresponding to the first match. If there is no match, you can optionally define a default 

Logical functions are the foundation of decision-making in Excel. One of the simplest yet most powerful tools in this toolkit is the NOT function. It inverts logical values—turning TRUE into FALSE, and vice versa. Whether you're building complex IF statements, filtering data, or flagging exceptions, NOT can sharpen the logic of your formulas with precision.

When working with functions like VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, or MATCH, Excel often returns a #N/A error if it can't find a match. These errors are expected in many workflows, but they can be confusing to users or disrupt downstream calculations. Enter: the IFNA function—purpose-built to handle #N/A errors only while allowing other types of errors to pass through untouched.

In Excel, logic functions are the foundation of decision-making formulas. One of the most basic—but essential—logic functions is the FALSE function. Although it may seem simple, FALSE plays a powerful role in formulas, conditional logic, and automated workflows in Excel.

The MIN  function is the opposite of the MAX function: it helps you quickly find the smallest  value in a list or range of numbers....

The MAX function is one of the most commonly used Excel functions when working with numerical data. It helps identify the largest number in a set of values.

The OR function in Excel is a logical function that helps you test multiple conditions at once. It returns TRUE if at least one of the conditions is true and FALSE only if all conditions are false. OR is incredibly useful when paired with other functions like IF, AND, and NOT to create smart formulas and automate decision-making in your spreadsheets.

The MID function in Excel is a powerful text function that lets you extract a specific number of characters from any position within a string—not just the beginning or end. It's incredibly useful when your data is embedded in the middle of a text value, such as codes, dates, or combined fields.

The RIGHT function in Excel is the mirror of the LEFT function. It allows users to extract a specific number of characters from the end (right side) of a text string. This function is especially useful when dealing with fixed-format codes, dates, or trailing data. Let’s walk through how to use it—from beginner to advanced level—complete with examples and practical tips.

The LEFT function in Excel is a powerful text function that extracts a specific number of characters from the beginning (left side) of a text string. It’s widely used in data cleaning, formatting, and analysis.

Excel uses various symbolic operators to perform calculations, define references, combine values, and control logic. Understanding these symbols is essential for writing effective formulas and debugging spreadsheet issues.

The INDEX function is one of Excel’s most powerful and versatile tools, especially when working with structured data. Whether you're just starting or looking to level up your spreadsheet game, mastering INDEX can significantly improve your data analysis skills.

The IFS function in Excel evaluates a series of conditions and returns a specific value for the first true condition. This makes the IFS function particularly helpful when applying multiple tests, streamlining the process compared to using traditional IF statements.

The IFERROR function is a built-in Excel tool designed to catch errors in formulas and replace them with a custom result — often a blank cell, a message, or a calculated alternative. It helps you control what your audience sees, maintaining a clean presentation even when underlying formulas produce errors.

The IF function allows you to perform logical tests and return different outcomes based on whether that test is true or false.

The `DATEIF` function in Excel is a hidden gem, designed to calculate the difference between two dates. Despite not being widely recognized, it is effective for determining the number of days, months, or years between specified dates.

At its core, the COUNTIFS function is designed to count the number of cells that meet multiple conditions. Unlike its simpler counterpart, COUNTIF, which only evaluates a single criterion, COUNTIFS can handle multiple criteria simultaneously. This makes it an invaluable asset for complex data analysis tasks.

The COUNTIF function in Excel counts the number of cells within a specified range that meet a single criterion. This is incredibly useful...