BeginnerLogic
Syntax
=OR(logical1, [logical2], ...)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
logical1 | The first condition. |
logical2, ... | More conditions. |
Examples with results
Every result below is calculated by the practice engine on the sample data shown, not typed in by hand.
Office supplies sales (fictional)
| Row | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Qty | Unit price | Region | Date |
| 2 | Pen | 10 | 1.5 | North | 2025-01-15 |
| 3 | Notebook | 5 | 12 | South | 2025-02-03 |
| 4 | Pen | 20 | 1.5 | South | 2025-02-28 |
| 5 | Stapler | 2 | 40 | North | 2025-03-10 |
| 6 | Folder | 15 | 3.25 | East | 2025-03-22 |
| 7 | Notebook | 8 | 12 | East | 2025-04-05 |
| 8 | Pen | 12 | 1.5 | North | 2025-04-18 |
| 9 | Marker | 30 | 2 | South | 2025-05-02 |
=OR(D2="North",D2="East")Is the order from the North or the East?
Monthly budget (fictional)
| Row | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Category | Planned | Actual |
| 2 | Rent | 1200 | 1200 |
| 3 | Groceries | 400 | 462 |
| 4 | Transport | 150 | 128 |
| 5 | Utilities | 180 | 171 |
| 6 | Fun | 120 | 160 |
| 7 | Savings | 300 | 300 |
=IF(OR(C3>B3,C6>B6),"Check budget","Fine")Flag if Groceries or Fun went over
Try it yourself
Change the formula or switch to other sample data.
Press Calculate to see the result.
The practice box runs in your browser with BDK’s own calculator, which covers about 60 common functions. Cell references work as in Excel (B2, B2:B9). Your formulas are not saved or sent anywhere. For anything unusual, check the result in Excel itself.
How people use OR at work
- Operations
Flag stock that is low or unlisted.
Data: Stock levels (fictional)=IF(OR(C3<=D3,D3=""),"Check","OK") - Education
Needs help in any subject below 50.
Data: Class scores (fictional)=IF(OR(B5<50,C5<50,D5<50),"Support","OK")
Common mistakes and tips
- OR is true if any condition is true, not only one.
Works in
All versions of Excel, and Google Sheets.
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