📎 This article includes 1 downloadable practice file ↓
In this article
BIN2DEC reads binary text (up to 10 digits) and returns the number.
Syntax
=BIN2DEC(number)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
number |
Binary text of up to 10 characters. |
Examples
Example 1
=BIN2DEC("1101")Returns 13.
BIN2DEC in practice
Where you will use it
- Read binary flags from device logs
- Check exam answers in number-system lessons
- Convert permission bits to numbers
Worked example
| Binary | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1010 | =BIN2DEC(A2) | 10 |
| 11111111 | =BIN2DEC(A3) | 255 |
| 1111111111 | =BIN2DEC(A4) | -1 |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| More than 10 digits | BIN2DEC takes up to 10 bits; use DECIMAL(text,2) for longer values |
| 10-digit values starting with 1 are negative | 1111111111 is -1 (two's complement), not 1023 |
Related functions
DEC2BIN · DECIMAL
📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.
⚡ Interactive Practice Lab & Formula Tester:
Test formulas dynamically in our web formula laboratory or download the companion Excel workbook.
📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Engineering & conversion15 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 34 KB
Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.
✨ Ask AI about this article
Stuck on a step? Ask a question and the AI answers using this article.
Free · AI can be wrong