How to use or in excel

Before diving directly to answer the question, how to use or in excel, let us first analyze what is the meaning of this function. The OR function is a powerful function determine the answer in YES or NO under a logical question. Unlike the AND function which mentions true when all conditions are met in logical question, the OR function returns the answer to be true even when one of the many logical questions meet the certain criteria.

Understood the theory? Now let’s get started to understand how to use or in excel in this detailed guide. You will learn three ways here by which you can access or function.

Use OR function by shortcut method

1. Open the document you wish to use or function. Here is an example of a spreadsheet with names of students and marks obtained by them on various subjects.

2. Click on cell H5 to use or function.

3. type “=or”

4. Press tab, the or function is enabled.

5. Now for the first logical criteria, we want to see whether the student scored less than 50 marks in all subjects. To do this, we will input multiple logical conditions one by one in this OR function. Click on cell D5.

6. Type

7. Put comma (,) and click on cell E5 and type again “nd logical criteria.

8. Do this for all subjects by putting commas and clicking each cell. In the end, your function should look like this.

9. Now hit Enter. The answer comes FALSE. This is because none of the values under student name Harry is less than 50.

10. To get results for all students, click on the cell H5 and bring your cursor at the end of cell. Notice it turns to plus sign.

11. Now click and hold left mouse button and drag vertically up to H10 and release. The formula is applied on all selected cells.

Use OR function by option method

1. Open the document you wish to use or function. Here is an example of a spreadsheet with names of students and marks obtained by them on various subjects.

2. Click on cell H5 to use or function.

3. Click on the Formula tab. This opens multiple options in this ribbon.

4. Click on Logical option and select OR function.

5. A dialogue box appears to select logical criteria.

6. Click arrow at the right corner of Logical 1 field and select cell D5 and type “

7. Click Enter key. The 1st condition is assigned.

8. Now click on the Logical 2 field arrow and select E5 and type “nd condition is also selected.

9. Do this for remaining 2 subjects. Your fields should look like this.

10. Now click Ok. You have your answer as False again.

11. To get results for all students, click on the cell H5 and bring your cursor at the end of cell. Notice it turns to plus sign.

12. Now click and hold left mouse button and drag vertically up to H10 and release. The formula is applied on all selected cells.

Use OR formula from function tab

1. Open the document you wish to use or function. Here is an example of a spreadsheet with names of students and marks obtained by them on various subjects.

2. Click on cell H5 to use or function.

3. Click the fx tab.

4. Search for OR in the search field.

5. Double click the OR function. The same dialogue box appears. Input all the values just as before and repeat the whole process until all students’ marks are calculated using OR function.

So this is how to use or in excel. Need to edit Word/Excel/PPT file free of charge? Download WPS Office edit files like without any cost. Download now! to get enjoyable working experience