Using BIN2DEC In a Macro

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 2, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


1

Most of Excel's worksheet functions can be accessed in VBA by using the WorksheetFunction object. Some functions may not seem to be available, however. One such function is BIN2DEC, which converts a binary value to a decimal value. The reason it isn't available is that BIN2DEC isn't really an Excel worksheet function—it is part of the Analysis ToolPak add-in.

That being the case, you have two options: you can either load the VBA equivalent of the Analysis ToolPak, or you can create your own BIN2DEC function in VBA. To do the first, make sure that in Excel you install the Analysis ToolPak — VBA add-in. If it is not listed in the available add-ins, use Windows to search for the file ATPVBAEN.XLA. (If you are using a language version of Excel other than English, then the "EN" portion of the file will be different.) This is the actual add-in you want to enable.

Once you've enabled the add-in, display the VBA Editor and choose Tools | References to display the References dialog box. Make sure the atpvbaen.xla reference is selected. Close the dialog box, and you can then use BIN2DEC just like you would any other worksheet function.

The other option is to create your own BIN2DEC function. The following is an example of a function that accepts a string that contains the binary digits and returns a numeric value that represents the decimal value of that string.

Function Bin2Dec(sMyBin As String) As Long
    Dim x As Integer
    Dim iLen As Integer

    iLen = Len(sMyBin) - 1
    For x = 0 To iLen
        Bin2Dec = Bin2Dec + _
          Mid(sMyBin, iLen - x + 1, 1) * 2 ^ x
    Next
End Function

This function actually doesn't have the same limitations as the BIN2DEC worksheet function; it will work with binary numbers containing more than 10 digits.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the ExcelTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3063) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Inserting a Non-Breaking Space

In Word a non-breaking space will help you keep two words together on the same line. Here's two different ways that you ...

Discover More

Inserting Endnotes

Endnotes appear at either the end of a section or the end of an entire document. It is just as easy to insert an endnote ...

Discover More

Ignoring N/A Values in a Sum

You can use some of Excel's worksheet functions across a range or worksheets, but not all of them. One that has problems ...

Discover More

Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!

More ExcelTips (menu)

Converting Text Case

Ever notice that if someone types in all CAPS, it appears they are shouting? If your worksheets include lots of text, you ...

Discover More

Conditionally Displaying a Message Box

You can, from within your macros, easily display a message box containing a message of your choice. If you want to ...

Discover More

Converting Numbers Into Words

Write out a check and you need to include the digits for the amount of the check and the value of the check written out ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four less than 4?

2021-01-02 10:46:42

Rick Rothstein

Not that anyone would ever need to handle the monstrous numbers my function is capable of, I thought I would post it anyway.

' BinaryString argument can be a maximum of 96 digits (either 0's or 1's)
Function BinToDec(BinaryString As String) As Variant
Dim X As Integer
Const TwoToThe48 As Variant = 281474976710656#
For X = 0 To Len(BinaryString) - 1
If X > 48 Then
BinToDec = CDec(BinToDec) + Val(Mid(BinaryString, Len(BinaryString) - X, 1)) * TwoToThe48 * CDec(2 ^ (X - 48))
Else
BinToDec = CDec(BinToDec) + Val(Mid(BinaryString, Len(BinaryString) - X, 1)) * CDec(2 ^ X)
End If
Next
If Len(BinToDec) > 10 Then BinToDec = CStr(BinToDec)
End Function

And in case you should need the inverse for this function...

' The DecimalIn argument is limited to 79228162514264337593543950266
' (approximately 96-bits) - large numerical values must be entered
' as a String value to prevent conversion to scientific notation.
Function DecToBin(ByVal DecimalIn As Variant, Optional NumberOfBits As Variant) As String
DecToBin = ""
DecimalIn = CDec(DecimalIn)
Do While DecimalIn <> 0
DecToBin = Trim$(Str$(DecimalIn - 2 * Int(DecimalIn / 2))) & DecToBin
DecimalIn = Int(DecimalIn / 2)
Loop
If Not IsMissing(NumberOfBits) Then
If Len(DecToBin) > NumberOfBits Then
DecToBin = "Error - Number too large for bit size"
Else
DecToBin = Right$(String$(NumberOfBits, "0") & DecToBin, NumberOfBits)
End If
End If
End Function


This Site

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.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.