
| Function category | Engineering functions |
| Volatility | Non-volatile |
| Similar functions | DEC2BIN, DEC2HEX, HEX2DEC |
What does this function do?
This function converts a binary number to decimal number system.
Syntax
=BIN2DEC(binary_number)Binary numbers are limited to ten characters (bits).
- binary_number — required. The binary number you want to convert to decimal
Usage examples
Convert binary 1010 to decimal:
=BIN2DEC("1010")Result: 10
Convert binary 1111 to decimal:
=BIN2DEC("1111")Result: 15
Convert binary 1000000000 (10 bits) to decimal:
=BIN2DEC("1000000000")Result: 512
Features
- Supports binary numbers up to 10 bits (characters)
- If the binary number is negative, it must be in two’s complement notation
- Leading zeros are optional and don’t affect the result
- If binary_number is not a valid binary number, returns the #NUM! error
- If binary_number contains more than 10 characters, returns the #NUM! error
- The function treats the binary number as signed if it’s 10 bits long
Binary number ranges
- Positive numbers: 0 to 511 (binary 0 to 111111111)
- Negative numbers: -512 to -1 (using two’s complement notation)
- Maximum binary input: 10 bits (1111111111 represents -1 in two’s complement)
Practical applications
- Digital electronics and computer engineering calculations
- Network subnet mask calculations
- Binary-coded decimal (BCD) conversions
- Computer science education and programming
- Hardware register value interpretations
Other Engineering functions in Excel
DELTA, DEC2BIN, DEC2HEX, GESTEP, CONVERT, HEX2DEC, DEC2OCT, OCT2DEC, BIN2HEX, HEX2BIN
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