AND and OR functions in Google Sheets - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The AND and OR functions help you check if multiple things are true or if at least one thing is true. They are useful when you want to make decisions based on several conditions in your spreadsheet.

When you want to see if a student passed all subjects by checking if all scores are above a passing mark.

When you want to find out if a product is either in stock or on sale to decide if it should be promoted.

When you want to check if a date is either before or after a certain deadline to apply different rules.

When you want to combine multiple yes/no questions to filter data that meets all or some conditions.

When you want to create a formula that returns TRUE only if all conditions are met or if any condition is met.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- a blank cell where you want the result

The cell is selected and ready for input

Step 2: Type

- the formula bar

The formula appears in the formula bar

💡 Start formulas with an equal sign (=)

Step 3: Type

- the formula bar

The formula checks multiple conditions

💡 For AND, type =AND(condition1, condition2, ...). For example, =AND(A1>10, B1<20)

Step 4: Press

- Enter key

The cell shows TRUE if all conditions are true (AND) or if any condition is true (OR)

Step 5: Repeat

- for OR function

Type =OR(condition1, condition2, ...) to check if any condition is true. For example, =OR(A1>10, B1<20)

Before vs After

Before

Cell is empty with no formula

After

Cell shows TRUE if all conditions in AND are met or if any condition in OR is met; otherwise FALSE

Settings Reference

AND function

📍 Formula bar

Returns TRUE only if all conditions are true

Default: No default, you must enter conditions

OR function

📍 Formula bar

Returns TRUE if any condition is true

Default: No default, you must enter conditions

Common Mistakes

Using AND or OR without equal sign

Formulas must start with = to work

Always start formulas with =, for example, =AND(A1>10, B1<20)

Not separating conditions with commas

Functions require commas to separate each condition

Use commas between conditions, like =OR(A1=5, B1=10)

Using AND when you want OR logic or vice versa

AND requires all conditions true, OR requires any condition true

Choose AND if all must be true, OR if any can be true

Summary

AND checks if all conditions are true and returns TRUE only then.

OR checks if any condition is true and returns TRUE if at least one is true.

Always start formulas with = and separate conditions with commas.

Practice

1. What does the AND function do in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Returns TRUE only if all conditions are TRUE

B. Returns TRUE if at least one condition is TRUE

C. Returns FALSE if all conditions are TRUE

D. Returns the sum of all conditions

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of AND

   The AND function checks multiple conditions and returns TRUE only if every condition is TRUE.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Returns TRUE if at least one condition is TRUE describes OR, C and D are incorrect because AND does not return FALSE if all are TRUE or sum values.

3. Final Answer:

   Returns TRUE only if all conditions are TRUE -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   AND means all TRUE = TRUE [OK]

Hint: AND needs all TRUE to return TRUE, else FALSE [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing AND with OR
• Thinking AND sums values
• Assuming AND returns TRUE if any condition is TRUE

2. Which of these is the correct syntax for the OR function in Google Sheets?

easy

A. =OR(A1>5, B1<10)

B. =OR(A1>5; B1<10)

C. =OR{A1>5, B1<10}

D. =OR[A1>5, B1<10]

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct function syntax

   Google Sheets uses commas to separate arguments inside parentheses for functions like OR.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   =OR(A1>5, B1<10) uses commas and parentheses correctly. Options A, B, and D use wrong separators or brackets.

3. Final Answer:

   =OR(A1>5, B1<10) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   OR uses commas inside parentheses [OK]

Hint: Use commas inside parentheses for function arguments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using semicolons instead of commas
• Using curly or square brackets
• Missing parentheses

3. Given the values: A1=7, B1=3, C1=10, what is the result of =AND(A1>5, OR(B1>5, C1=10))?

medium

A. 0

B. FALSE

C. Error

D. TRUE

Solution

1. Step 1: Evaluate inner OR function

   OR(B1>5, C1=10) means OR(3>5, 10=10) -> OR(FALSE, TRUE) -> TRUE.

2. Step 2: Evaluate AND function

   AND(A1>5, TRUE) means AND(7>5, TRUE) -> AND(TRUE, TRUE) -> TRUE.

3. Final Answer:

   TRUE -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   AND with all TRUE returns TRUE [OK]

Hint: Evaluate OR inside AND first, then combine results [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Evaluating AND before OR
• Confusing TRUE and FALSE values
• Assuming numeric values instead of logical

4. Identify the error in this formula: =AND(A1>5 OR B1<10)

medium

A. Parentheses are not needed

B. OR cannot be used inside AND

C. Missing comma between conditions inside AND

D. No error, formula is correct

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze formula structure

   The formula tries to combine conditions inside AND but misses a comma between A1>5 and OR B1<10.

2. Step 2: Correct syntax for nested functions

   AND requires each condition separated by commas. The correct form is =AND(A1>5, OR(B1<10)).

3. Final Answer:

   Missing comma between conditions inside AND -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Separate conditions with commas in AND [OK]

Hint: Use commas to separate all conditions inside AND [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting commas between arguments
• Thinking OR can't be nested inside AND
• Ignoring parentheses placement

5. You want to check if a student passed both Math and English (score ≥ 50) or scored above 90 in Science. Which formula correctly returns TRUE if either condition is met?

hard

A. =OR(Math>=50, English>=50, Science>90)

B. =OR(AND(Math>=50, English>=50), Science>90)

C. =AND(Math>=50, English>=50, Science>90)

D. =AND(OR(Math>=50, English>=50), Science>90)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand conditions

   The student passes if both Math and English scores are at least 50 (AND condition) OR if Science score is above 90.

2. Step 2: Translate to formula

   Use AND(Math>=50, English>=50) for both passing, then OR with Science>90 to allow either condition.

3. Final Answer:

   =OR(AND(Math>=50, English>=50), Science>90) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use OR for either condition, AND for both subjects [OK]

Hint: Use AND inside OR to combine conditions correctly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing AND and OR order incorrectly
• Using AND for all conditions instead of OR
• Not grouping conditions properly