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Excel IF OR Function: How to Check Multiple Conditions Easily

The IF OR function in Excel is a powerful combination used to check if at least one of several conditions is true and then return a result based on that logic. It’s ideal for situations where multiple criteria can lead to the same outcome and is frequently used in data validation, reporting, dynamic spreadsheets, and more.

This function works seamlessly in Microsoft Excel on Windows, macOS, and even in LibreOffice Calc on Ubuntu.

What Does the IF OR Function Do in Excel?

The IF function evaluates a condition and returns one value if it’s true and another if it’s false. When combined with OR, it checks multiple conditions at once.

Syntax:

=IF(OR(condition1, condition2, ...), value_if_true, value_if_false)
ArgumentDescription
condition1...nThe logical tests to evaluate
value_if_trueResult if any condition is TRUE
value_if_falseResult if none of the conditions are TRUE

✅ The formula returns value_if_true if at least one condition is true.
❌ It returns value_if_false if all conditions are false.

Simple Example

=IF(OR(A1>100, B1="Yes"), "Approved", "Rejected")
  • Returns “Approved” if A1 > 100 or B1 = Yes
  • Otherwise, returns “Rejected”

IF OR with Text Conditions

=IF(OR(A2="Completed", A2="Paid"), "No Action Needed", "Follow Up")

➡️ Returns “No Action Needed” if the status in A2 is either “Completed” or “Paid”

Practical Use Cases for IF OR

✅ Grade evaluations (e.g., if Math OR Science is above a certain score)
✅ Project tracking (e.g., if status is “Done” OR “Delivered”)
✅ Invoice control (e.g., if Paid OR Canceled)
✅ HR assessments (e.g., if years of experience OR education meet the criteria)
✅ Flagging outliers or exceptions in datasets

IF OR with Multiple Logical Tests

You can test several conditions easily:

=IF(OR(A1="Gold", B1="Premium", C1>100), "Priority", "Standard")

Returns “Priority” if any of the three conditions are true.

Using IF OR in Conditional Formatting

Highlight cells if one of multiple conditions is met:

  1. Select your range
  2. Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule
  3. Choose “Use a formula to determine which cells to format”
  4. Enter:
=OR(A1="Error", B1="Warning")
  1. Choose formatting (e.g., red fill)
  2. Apply

Combining IF OR with AND for Advanced Logic

=IF(AND(OR(A1="Active", A1="Pending"), B1<100), "Monitor", "Ignore")

This evaluates if A1 is “Active” or “Pending” and B1 is less than 100. If both are true, the result is “Monitor”.

Using Cell References in IF OR

If your conditions are based on dynamic cell values:

=IF(OR(D2="Urgent", E2="Critical"), "High Priority", "Normal")

Use named ranges or structured references in tables for clarity and flexibility.

LibreOffice Calc Compatibility

In LibreOffice Calc, available on Ubuntu and other platforms, the formula structure is identical:

=IF(OR(A1="Yes", B1>200), "Approved", "Check Again")

✅ No syntax differences
✅ Fully compatible
✅ Also works in OpenOffice

FAQs about Excel IF OR

What is the difference between IF OR and IF AND?

  • IF OR returns true if any condition is true
  • IF AND requires all conditions to be true

Can I use more than two conditions in IF OR?
Yes, up to 255 conditions are supported in modern Excel versions.

Can I nest IF OR in another IF function?
Yes, you can use nested IF statements or combine with other logic functions.

Does this work with text and numbers?
Absolutely. You can test strings like "Done" and numbers like >100 in the same formula.

Is IF OR supported in Google Sheets and LibreOffice?
Yes, the same syntax works in both Google Sheets and LibreOffice Calc.

Can I use IF OR in conditional formatting?
Yes, it’s one of the most useful logic combinations for dynamic formatting.

Conclusion: Excel IF OR for Smart Logic

The IF OR function in Excel gives you a powerful way to handle multiple logical conditions at once. Whether you’re creating smarter spreadsheets, validating inputs, triggering visual feedback, or designing conditional logic workflows, this formula offers flexibility and clarity.

Use it confidently on Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu, whether you’re using Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc. It’s a must-have for anyone building reliable, dynamic Excel tools.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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