The OR() function does not work nicely :(

**zjianguk** · 03-13-2013, 08:10 AM

Hi, everyone,

You know that =OR(1,0) will return 1, and =SUM(OR(1,0),OR(1,0)) will return 2. But the formula =SUM(OR(A1:A2,B1:B2)) with array applied will return 1, although cells A1,A2,B1,B2 are all 1. What I have hoped is that the value is 2, given the definition of the OR() function.

Is there another way to do this? Whenever there is 1, it will be 1. Only if both are 0, then it is 0.

Thanks for help.

**martindwilson** · 03-13-2013, 08:18 AM

that is not how you use =OR() the syntax is = OR(a1=1,b1=0) which gives true if either condition is met
other examples would be
OR(a1=1,b1=0,c1=5) OR(a1={1,2,3,4}) or(a1={"cat","dog","mouse"})
what exactly are you trying to do?
for just those cells
=2-SUMPRODUCT((A1:A2=0)*(B1:B2=0))