Logical Functions in Excel Explained: IF, AND & OR
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
Logical functions allow Excel to make decisions based on conditions. Instead of just calculating numbers, Excel can now “think” and return results depending on specific criteria.
The three most commonly used logical functions are IF, AND, and OR.
1️⃣ The IF Function
The IF function checks whether a condition is true or false and returns a result accordingly.
Structure:
=IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)
Example:
=IF(A2>1000,"Over Budget","Within Budget")
If the value in A2 is greater than 1000, Excel returns “Over Budget.”If not, it returns “Within Budget.”
The IF function is widely used in finance, reporting, and data analysis to automate decisions.
2️⃣ The AND Function
The AND function checks whether multiple conditions are true at the same time.
It only returns TRUE if all conditions are met.
Example:
=AND(A2>1000, B2="Approved")
This returns TRUE only if both conditions are satisfied.
AND is often combined with IF for more advanced logic.
3️⃣ The OR Function
The OR function checks multiple conditions but returns TRUE if any one of them is met.
Example:
=OR(A2>1000, B2="Urgent")
This returns TRUE if either condition is met.
Combining IF with AND / OR
Logical functions become powerful when combined.
Example:
=IF(AND(A2>1000,B2="Yes"),"Review Required","OK")
This tells Excel to flag something only when both conditions apply.
Why Logical Functions Matter
Logical functions are essential for:
Budget monitoring
Status tracking
Performance reporting
Credit control
Data validation
Automated decision-making
They reduce manual checks and make spreadsheets smarter.
Final Thoughts
If you use Excel regularly but don’t use logical functions, you’re missing one of its most powerful features.
Mastering IF, AND, and OR allows you to move from simple data entry to intelligent, automated spreadsheets.
Comments