Error Troubleshooting

6-8 min read

OR Function Errors in Excel - Fix Logic Errors, Always TRUE & Type Errors

Complete guide to diagnosing and fixing all Excel OR function errors. Learn how to resolve confusing OR with AND logic mistakes, fix contradictory conditions that always return TRUE, correct type errors when using arithmetic operators instead of logical functions, and understand proper OR function behavior. This comprehensive troubleshooting reference covers every common OR formula problem with step-by-step solutions.

Excel OR function errors typically arise from logical mistakes rather than syntax errors. Whether you're dealing with wrong results from confusing OR with AND logic, accidentally creating contradictory conditions that always return TRUE, or using arithmetic operators instead of logical functions, this comprehensive troubleshooting guide provides step-by-step solutions for every common OR formula error. Master when to use OR versus AND, avoid always-true conditions, and build reliable conditional formulas for business logic.

Common Excel OR Function Errors at a Glance

Logic Error— Confusing OR with AND logic

❌ The Problem:

• Using OR when ALL conditions must be true (need AND instead)
• Example: =IF(OR(Age>=18, HasLicense="Yes"), "Can Drive") allows driving with just age OR license
• Returns "Can Drive" if age≥18 OR has license (but both should be required!)
• Common in eligibility checks where multiple requirements are mandatory

✅ Solutions:

Use AND when ALL conditions must be TRUE:

=IF(AND(Age>=18, HasLicense="Yes"), "Can Drive", "Cannot")

Key Rule: OR = "This OR that OR both" (ANY condition)

Key Rule: AND = "This AND that (both required)" (ALL conditions)

Always TRUE— Contradictory OR conditions (Always returns TRUE)

❌ The Problem:

• Formula: =OR(A1>100, A1<=100) always returns TRUE
• If A1=150: First condition TRUE (150>100)
• If A1=50: Second condition TRUE (50≤100)
• No possible value makes both conditions FALSE
• Breaks validation logic and approval workflows

✅ Solutions:

For "outside range" checks, use proper comparison:

=OR(A1<50, A1>100)

This flags values <50 OR >100 (outside 50-100 range)

For "inside range" checks, use AND instead:

=AND(A1>=50, A1<=100)

Returns TRUE only if value is between 50-100

Type Error— Using + instead of OR for logical operations

❌ The Problem:

• Formula: =(A1="VIP")+(B1>50000) adds TRUE/FALSE as numbers
• TRUE is converted to 1, FALSE to 0
• Result: Numeric 0, 1, or 2 (not TRUE/FALSE)
• Does not work correctly with IF: =IF(1+1, ...) evaluates as number 2, not TRUE
• Confusing results and hard to debug

✅ Solutions:

Always use OR() function for logical operations:

=OR(A1="VIP", B1>50000)

Returns proper TRUE or FALSE value

Works correctly with IF statements

Clear logical intent for other users

Best Practices

Use OR for "any of these" logic

=OR(A1="VIP", B1>50000)

Combine OR with IF for decisions

=IF(OR(...), "Action", "Default")

Use parentheses for clarity

=AND(OR(A,B), OR(C,D))

Test edge cases (all TRUE, all FALSE)

Verify behavior with test data

DON'T

Use OR when you need AND

❌ OR(Age≥18, HasLicense) for driving

Create contradictory conditions

❌ OR(A1>100, A1<=100)

Use + instead of OR

❌ (A1="X")+(B1="Y")

Forget OR returns TRUE/FALSE

❌ IF(OR(...)=TRUE, ...)

🔗Related Excel Formulas

Once you've fixed your or function errors, explore these related formulas:

AND- All conditions true IF- Conditional logic NOT- Reverse logic IFERROR- Handle errors gracefully IFS- Multiple conditions COUNTIF- Count with criteria SUMIF- Sum with conditions FILTER- Filter data dynamically VLOOKUP- Vertical lookup

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