As automation scales beyond basic rules, single-condition checks often fall short. Real-world processes frequently require evaluating several criteria together or applying decisions in a specific order. This guide walks you through two essential techniques—nested conditions and multi-condition logic—so your RPA workflows can handle layered and nuanced business rules with confidence.
Core Skill 1: Nested Conditions
Nested conditions place one If block inside another. Conceptually, you’re saying “If A is true, then check B.” This structure lets you model hierarchical rules where one decision depends on the outcome of a previous check.
Consider a common e-commerce example: you only want to send a customer satisfaction survey for orders that are both delivered and paid via PayPal. Here’s how the nested logic plays out:
Outer check: Is the shipment status “Delivered”?
Inner check (evaluated only if the first is true): Is the payment method “PayPal”?
Action: Send the survey email only when both conditions are satisfied.
Why nest? Because the second condition becomes irrelevant unless the first is met. This mirrors how people make decisions: we evaluate prerequisites before drilling into specifics. In practice, nesting keeps unrelated checks from running and makes intent explicit: “Under this circumstance, then consider that.”
Core Skill 2: Multi-Condition Logic (AND vs. OR)
Sometimes multiple rules sit at the same level, and you don’t need hierarchy—you just need to state whether all must be true, or any one is enough. That’s where multi-condition logic comes in.
The AND relationship (Meet all conditions)
Use AND when every condition must hold. Think “must simultaneously satisfy…”. For example, approving a discount only when the customer is VIP, the order total exceeds a threshold, and the product is in a promo category. In your If block, select multiple conditions and choose the option to meet all conditions.
The OR relationship (Meet any condition)
Use OR when any single condition is sufficient. Think “satisfy at least one…”. For example, routing a ticket to priority support if it’s marked “Urgent” or comes from a strategic account or relates to a known outage. In your If block, add multiple conditions and choose the option to meet any condition.
How to choose between AND and OR
Start with the business rule: Is compliance strict, requiring every standard to be met (AND)? Or is it permissive, granting a pass if any alternative qualifies (OR)? If you’re unsure, try phrasing the rule in plain language. “Only if…” often signals AND. “As long as one of the following…” usually means OR.
Design Tips and Best Practices
Lead with clarity: Prefer a single If with multiple conditions over deeply nested structures when the rules are flat. If the logic truly has layers—like prerequisites followed by subchecks—nesting conveys that hierarchy clearly.
Reduce cognitive load: Group related conditions together and keep each block focused. If a condition set grows long, split the flow into named, reusable components (e.g., “IsEligibleForSurvey”).
Document intent, not mechanics: Add brief comments that state the business rule the block enforces, such as “Send survey only for delivered orders paid via PayPal.” Future you—and your teammates—will thank you.
Test edge cases: Validate both true and false paths for each condition. For nested logic, test scenarios where the outer condition fails (the inner logic must not run) and where it passes (the inner logic behaves as expected).
Avoid overlap and ambiguity: When combining AND/OR with nesting, ensure each condition has a single, unambiguous purpose. If two conditions are subtly redundant, refactor to one authoritative check.
Bringing It All Together
Nested conditions let you model decisions that depend on earlier outcomes, while multi-condition logic lets you declare whether all or any criteria should pass at the same level. Used together, they dramatically expand what your RPA can do: no more brittle, single-rule bots; instead, you get workflows that weigh multiple factors and reflect real business nuance.
Mastering these patterns turns your automations into smart decision-makers—capable of handling layered rules with precision, just like an experienced team member would.