Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Converting to Hexadecimal.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 15, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
If you do any programming, you know how important hexadecimal numbers are. Hexadecimal numbers are used to represent values that can be easily understood by both humans and programming languages. In the hexadecimal numbering system, each digit can vary between 0 and F. Thus, 0 through 9 are the same as in our decimal numbering system, and A through F are converted to 10 through 15 in decimal.
How can Excel help with hexadecimal numbers? It includes a worksheet function that allows you to easily convert a number from decimal to hexadecimal. For instance, let's say you have a decimal value in E3. If you wanted to know the hexadecimal equivalent, you would use the following:
=DEC2HEX(E3)
If the value in E3 was 123, the result of the above formula would be 7B. The DEC2HEX worksheet function can be used to convert any decimal values between -549,755,813,888 and 549,755,813,887.
Once the conversion is done, the value in the cell is considered text. This means that you cannot use the results of DEC2HEX in a numeric formula.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2308) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Converting to Hexadecimal.
Save Time and Supercharge Excel! Automate virtually any routine task and save yourself hours, days, maybe even weeks. Then, learn how to make Excel do things you thought were simply impossible! Mastering advanced Excel macros has never been easier. Check out Excel 2010 VBA and Macros today!
When working with data in a macro, there are two broad categories you can manipulate: numbers and text. Sometimes you ...
Discover MoreUnderstanding and using a function to replace an Arabic number with Roman numerals. And, as a bonus, how to change them back.
Discover MoreIs it possible for a formula to return a blank value? It depends on how you define your terms. This tip examines all the ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2020-05-05 17:22:36
Erik Renberg
Hello Mr. Wyatt,
I've used many of your excel tips and tricks, a big thank you!
Can you explain why Excel returns the wrong value in the last calculation when I add following calculations to cells:
=HEX2DEC("2000")
=DEC2HEX(8192,4)
=LOG(32,16)
=2+LOG(32,16)
=16^(2+LOG(32,16))
=DEC2HEX(16^(2+LOG(32,16)),4)
The context is I'm taking different color-values of RGB for each base color separately, values ranging from 0 to 255, combining them for a 6-digit RGB hexcode.
Again, thanks for all your usefull tips!
Erik
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments