MS Excel: OR Function, syntax and advanced explanation

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.

Syntax:

OR(logical1, [logical2], ...)

• logical1, logical2, … – These are the conditions (logical tests) you want to evaluate.

Beginner Level: Basic Use of OR

Example 1: Check If a Value Matches One of Two Options

A (Product)	B (OR Check)
Apple	=OR(A2="Apple", A2="Banana") → TRUE
Mango	=OR(A3="Apple", A3="Banana") → FALSE

Returns TRUE if the product is Apple or Banana.

Intermediate Level: Use OR with IF

OR is often used with IF to create more dynamic formulas.

Example 2: Pass or Fail Based on Two Subjects

A (Math)	B (English)	C (Result)
45	60	=IF(OR(A2>=50, B2>=50), "Pass", "Fail") → Pass
30	40	=IF(OR(A3>=50, B3>=50), "Pass", "Fail") → Fail

This checks if a student passed either subject.

Advanced Level: OR with AND, NOT, and Complex Logic

Now let’s combine OR with other logical functions.

Example 3: OR + AND – Complex Criteria

A (Age)	B (Country)	C (Eligible?)
25	USA	=IF(AND(A2>=18, OR(B2="USA", B2="Canada")), "Yes", "No") → Yes
17	USA	=IF(AND(A3>=18, OR(B3="USA", B3="Canada")), "Yes", "No") → No
30	Mexico	=IF(AND(A4>=18, OR(B4="USA", B4="Canada")), "Yes", "No") → No

Checks if age is 18+ and the country is either USA or Canada.

Example 4: OR with NOT – Reverse Logic

A (Status)	B (Is Not Active or Pending?)
Active	=OR(NOT(A2="Active"), NOT(A2="Pending")) → TRUE
Inactive	=OR(NOT(A3="Active"), NOT(A3="Pending")) → TRUE

NOT reverses the condition. Be cautious: logic can get tricky here!

Real-Life Use Cases

Scenario	Formula Example
Check if date is weekend	=OR(WEEKDAY(A2)=1, WEEKDAY(A2)=7)
Flag employee if missing email or phone	=OR(B2="", C2="")
Discount if VIP or order over $500	=IF(OR(A2="VIP", B2>500), "Discount", "No Discount")

Summary Table

Level	Key Feature	Example Formula
Beginner	Basic condition checking	=OR(A2="Apple", A2="Banana")
Intermediate	Use OR with IF	=IF(OR(A2>=50, B2>=50), "Pass", "Fail")
Advanced	Combine OR with AND, NOT, IF	=IF(AND(A2>=18, OR(B2="USA", B2="Canada")), "Yes", "No")

Conclusion

The OR function is a vital part of Excel’s logical toolkit. It’s easy to learn but incredibly powerful when combined with other functions. From simple checks to complex logic involving multiple conditions, OR can make your spreadsheets smarter, more flexible, and easier to automate.