Find the OR Function in Excel When It Does Not Appear in Search
Question details
The user needs to use the OR function when it does not appear in Excel's function search results.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user searches the Insert Function dialog or function list for the OR logical function.
- Observed behavior
- Excel search may not reliably return the very short function name OR, even though the function is available.
Open the worksheet where you want to create the formula and click the destination cell. Confirm that you are searching the function list or entering a formula in a worksheet cell, not using the Find command for worksheet text.
Select the OR function manually from Excel's function list
Use this method when the Insert Function search does not return OR in its results.
The function list may remain positioned near a different alphabetic section after a search. Scroll to the functions beginning with O and choose OR manually.
Select the target cell, then click the fx button next to the formula bar or go to Formulas > Insert Function.
In the Insert Function dialog, open the Or select a category list and choose Logical to narrow the available functions.
Scroll through the function list to the O section, select OR, and click OK.
In the Function Arguments dialog, enter each condition in Logical1, Logical2, and additional logical argument boxes as needed, then click OK.
Type the OR formula directly into a worksheet cell
Use this faster method when you know the function name and do not need to browse the function list.
Create OR Logical Formulas Easily in WPS Spreadsheet
If Excel function search is not finding the OR function, try WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use Office alternative. WPS Spreadsheet provides a familiar formula workflow, supports Excel files, and makes it easy to enter logical formulas directly while moving smoothly from Microsoft Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel not find the OR function when I search for it?
Excel's Insert Function search may not reliably return very short function names such as OR. Choose the Logical category and scroll to the O section, or type =OR( directly in a cell.
Where is the OR function in Excel's Insert Function dialog?
Go to Formulas > Insert Function, select Logical from the category list, then scroll through the function names until you reach OR.
How do I write an OR formula in Excel without using Insert Function?
Select a cell and enter =OR(condition1,condition2). For example, =OR(A1>10,B1="Yes") tests whether either condition is true.
What result does the Excel OR function return?
OR returns TRUE when at least one supplied logical test is TRUE. It returns FALSE only when every supplied test is FALSE.
Can I use more than two conditions with OR in Excel?
Yes. Add additional conditions separated by commas, such as =OR(A1="Open",A1="Pending",A1="Review").
