DEC2BIN function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation
What is DEC2BIN function in Excel?
DEC2BIN function is one of Engineering functions in Microsoft Excel that converts a decimal number to binary.
Syntax of DEC2BIN function
DEC2BIN(number, [places])
The DEC2BIN function syntax has the following arguments:
- Number: The decimal integer you want to convert. If number is negative, valid place values are ignored and DEC2BIN returns a 10-character (10-bit) binary number in which the most significant bit is the sign bit. The remaining 9 bits are magnitude bits. Negative numbers are represented using two’s-complement notation.
- Places(Optional): The number of characters to use. If places is omitted, DEC2BIN uses the minimum number of characters necessary. Places is useful for padding the return value with leading 0s (zeros).
DEC2BIN formula explanation
- If number < -512 or if number > 511, DEC2BIN returns the #NUM! error value.
- If number is nonnumeric, DEC2BIN returns the #VALUE! error value.
- If DEC2BIN requires more than places characters, it returns the #NUM! error value.
- If places is not an integer, it is truncated.
- If places is nonnumeric, DEC2BIN returns the #VALUE! error value.
- If places is zero or negative, DEC2BIN returns the #NUM! error value.
Example of DEC2BIN function
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
Formula | Description | Result |
=DEC2BIN(9, 4) | Converts decimal 9 to binary with 4 characters. | 1001 |
=DEC2BIN(-100) | Converts decimal -100 to binary | 1110011100 |