DEC2BIN

Converts a decimal number to binary.

Syntax

DEC2BIN(number,places)

Number is 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 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 zero or negative, DEC2BIN returns the #NUM! error value.

Example

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

How to copy an example

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
2. Select the example in the Help topic.

   Note Do not select the row or column headers.

   Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.
4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, click the Show Formulas button.

See also:

• BIN2DEC
• Engineering functions
• HEX2BIN
• HEX2DEC
• OCT2BIN
• OCT2DEC