How to Use the OR Function in Excel

Today, let’s delve into the “IF” function, a versatile tool available in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. This function enables you to embed conditional logic into your spreadsheets, facilitating automated decisions based on your data.

Basic Syntax

The syntax for the IF function is consistent across Excel and Google Sheets:

IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false) 

Each argument plays a specific role:

  • logical_test: The condition to be evaluated, which might involve a comparison, a mathematical operation, or any expression that results in TRUE or FALSE.
  • value_if_true: The output if the logical_test evaluates to TRUE.
  • value_if_false: The output if the logical_test evaluates to FALSE.

Examples of Usage

Here are several practical applications of the IF function:

Example 1: Pass/Fail Status

Suppose you have a list of student grades and you need to determine pass or fail status based on a minimum passing grade of 60.

Student Grade Pass/Fail
Student A 75 =IF(B2>=60, “Pass”, “Fail”)
Student B 45 =IF(B3>=60, “Pass”, “Fail”)

Example 2: Bonus Calculation

Imagine you wish to calculate bonuses for sales representatives based on whether their sales exceed $1000. Those exceeding this threshold earn a 10% bonus; others receive no bonus.

Salesperson Sales Amount Bonus
John $1200 =IF(B6>1000, B6*0.1, 0)
Alice $800 =IF(B7>1000, B7*0.1, 0)

These examples illustrate just a few ways the IF function can be applied in Excel and Google Sheets. Understanding conditional logic allows you to create sophisticated scenarios tailored to your specific needs.

More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/or-function-7d17ad14-8700-4281-b308-00b131e22af0

Other functions
Returns TRUE if all of its arguments are TRUE
Returns the logical value FALSE
Specifies a logical test to perform
Returns a value you specify if a formula evaluates to an error; otherwise, returns the result of the formula
Returns the value you specify if the expression resolves to #N/A, otherwise returns the result of the expression
Checks whether one or more conditions are met and returns a value that corresponds to the first TRUE condition
Reverses the logic of its argument
Evaluates an expression against a list of values and returns the result corresponding to the first matching value If there is no match, an optional default value may be returned
Returns the logical value TRUE
Returns a logical exclusive OR of all arguments