Syntax
=XOR(logical1, [logical2, ...])
logical1- The first condition.
logical2, ...- Optional. More conditions.
XOR function in Google Sheets
XOR ("exclusive or") returns TRUE when an odd number of its conditions are TRUE. With two conditions that means "one or the other, but not both".
Practice XOR
Task 1 of 1
Applicants are fast-tracked if they have a referral or passed the test, but not both (those go to a different queue). Return TRUE/FALSE in D2.
Tip: while typing a formula, click a cell or drag across cells to insert references. Press Enter to check, and Tab to accept a function suggestion.
XOR examples
Each example below runs against this sample sheet. The results are calculated by the same engine as the practice grid.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Student | Class | Score | Passed |
| 2 | Priya | A | 92 | TRUE |
| 3 | Leo | B | 67 | FALSE |
| 4 | Chloe | A | 48 | FALSE |
| 5 | Mateo | B | 81 | TRUE |
| 6 | Ines | C | FALSE | |
| 7 | Kai | C | 75 | TRUE |
| Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
=XOR(TRUE, FALSE) | TRUE | Exactly one is TRUE. |
=XOR(C2>=70, B2="A") | FALSE | Both TRUE, so XOR is FALSE. |
=XOR(C4>=70, B4="A") | TRUE | Only one is TRUE. |
Tips and common mistakes
- With more than two conditions, XOR is TRUE when 1, 3, 5… of them are TRUE. That's rarely what people expect, so keep it to two.
Related functions
Learning step by step? XOR is covered in Lesson 7: AND, OR, NOT & XOR of the free course.