If nothing else, Excel’s DEC2BIN function is handy for playing with binary notation when you are studying your ICT theory. As the name suggests, the function converts decimal numbers into binary notation.
Required knowledge:
Denary, also known as “decimal” or “base 10,” is a number system that uses ten digits to represent all numbers. The digits are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. [2]
1. Syntax
=DEC2BIN(number; [places])
Number: required argument. It can be an integer, a reference to a cell containing an integer, or a function or formula that returns an integer. [1]
Places: optional argument. The number of characters to use for the binary notation.
Returns: the binary notation for a (denary) number.
2. Example
The following example illustrates the use of the function to demonstrate and perform the conversion that students are required to be able to understand and carry out in the Cambridge curriculum.
- Enter any number in cell A2
- Use the Insert Function button to create the function =DEC2BIN(A2)
- Copy the function in B2 down column B using Auto Fill
- Enter numbers in column A
Note that 256 returns the #NUM error
References:
- DEC2BIN function (2014) Microsoft Support. Available at: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/dec2bin-function-0f63dd0e-5d1a-42d8-b511-5bf5c6d43838 (Accessed: 16 June 2023).
- Centre, S. S. (no date) British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms, BSL Glossary Denary – definition. Available at: https://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/BSL/computing/denaryd.html (Accessed: 22 February 2024).