DEC2BIN

Converts a decimal number to binary.

If this function is not available, and returns the #NAME? error, install and load the Analysis ToolPak add-in.

On the Tools menu, click Add-Ins.
In the Add-Ins available list, select the Analysis ToolPak box, and then click OK.
If necessary, follow the instructions in the setup program.

Syntax

DEC2BIN(number,places)

Number is the decimal integer you want to convert. If number is negative, places is 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 is 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).

Remarks

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 negative, DEC2BIN returns the #NUM! error value.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

Show How?

Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help
Press CTRL+C.
In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.

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A	B
Formula	Description (Result)
=DEC2BIN(9, 4)	Converts decimal 9 to binary with 4 characters (1001)
=DEC2BIN(-100)	Converts decimal -100 to binary (1110011100)