In this article
BIN2OCT converts a binary number to octal. Used for device codes, permission bits, memory addresses and number-system lessons.
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Syntax
=BIN2OCT(number, [places])| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
number |
Binary number (as text or a number) |
places |
Pad with leading zeros to this length |
Examples
Example 1
=BIN2OCT(A2)Result: 12. See the worked example table below for more cases.
BIN2OCT in practice
Where you will use it
- Reading binary values from device or network logs
- Teaching number systems
- Converting codes for systems that expect octal
Worked example
| Input | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1010 | =BIN2OCT(A2) | 12 |
| 111 | =BIN2OCT(A3) | 7 |
| 11111111 | =BIN2OCT(A4) | 377 |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Input too long or invalid digits | #NUM!; check the digits allowed in the base |
| Negative results | Large inputs use two's complement (10 characters) |
Related functions
📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.
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