How to Use the BASE Function in Excel
Introduction
In this tutorial, we will delve into the BASE function used in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. The BASE function is designed to convert a number into a text representation of a number in a specified base system. This is particularly beneficial for working with various numeral systems including binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal.
Syntax
The syntax for the BASE function is consistent across both Excel and Google Sheets:
=BASE(number, radix, [min_length])number: The number that you want to convert.radix: The base system to which you want to convert the number (2 for binary, 8 for octal, 10 for decimal, 16 for hexadecimal).min_length(optional): Specifies the minimum length of the returned string. If the converted number results in a string shorter than this length, the function pads it with zeros on the left to meet the specified length.
Examples
Convert Decimal to Binary
For example, let’s convert the decimal number 42 to binary using the BASE function:
| Number | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | =BASE(42, 2) | 101010 |
Convert Decimal to Hexadecimal with Minimum Length
Next, we’ll convert the decimal number 255 to a hexadecimal number, ensuring a minimum string length of 4 characters:
| Number | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 255 | =BASE(255, 16, 4) | 00FF |
Convert Binary to Decimal
Conversely, we can convert a binary number back to decimal. Let’s convert the binary number 1101 to decimal:
| Number | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1101 | =BASE(1101, 10) | 13 |
Conclusion
The BASE function in Excel and Google Sheets offers a straightforward method for converting numbers between different base systems. By familiarizing yourself with the syntax and examples provided in this tutorial, you can efficiently use the BASE function in your spreadsheets to tackle a variety of numerical conversion tasks.
More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/base-function-2ef61411-aee9-4f29-a811-1c42456c6342
Other functions
Returns the absolute value of a number
Returns the arccosine of a number
Returns the inverse hyperbolic cosine of a number
Returns the arccotangent of a number
Returns the hyperbolic arccotangent of a number
Returns an aggregate in a list or database
Converts a Roman number to Arabic, as a number
Returns the arcsine of a number
Returns the inverse hyperbolic sine of a number
Returns the arctangent of a number
Returns the arctangent from x- and y-coordinates
Returns the inverse hyperbolic tangent of a number
Rounds a number to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance
Rounds a number up, to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance
Rounds a number the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance Regardless of the sign of the number, the number is rounded up
Returns the number of combinations for a given number of objects
Returns the number of combinations (with repetitions) for a given number of items
Returns the cosine of a number
Returns the hyperbolic cosine of a number
Returns the hyperbolic cosine of a number
Returns the cotangent of an angle
Returns the cosecant of an angle
Returns the hyperbolic cosecant of an angle
Converts a text representation of a number in a given base into a decimal number
Converts radians to degrees
Rounds a number up to the nearest even integer
Returns
Returns the factorial of a number
Returns the double factorial of a number
Rounds a number down, to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance
Rounds a number the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance Regardless of the sign of the number, the number is rounded up
Returns the greatest common divisor
Rounds a number down to the nearest integer
Returns a number that is rounded up to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance
Returns the least common multiple
Assigns names to calculation results to allow storing intermediate calculations, values, or defining names inside a formula
Returns the natural logarithm of a number
Returns the logarithm of a number to a specified base
Returns the base-10 logarithm of a number
Returns the matrix determinant of an array
Returns the matrix inverse of an array
Returns the matrix product of two arrays
Returns the remainder from division
Returns a number rounded to the desired multiple
Returns the multinomial of a set of numbers
Returns the unit matrix or the specified dimension
Rounds a number up to the nearest odd integer
Returns the value of pi
Returns the result of a number raised to a power
Multiplies its arguments
Returns the integer portion of a division
Converts degrees to radians
Returns a random number between 0 and 1
Returns an array of random numbers between 0 and 1 However, you can specify the number of rows and columns to fill, minimum and maximum values, and whether to return whole numbers or decimal values
Returns a random number between the numbers you specify
Converts an arabic numeral to roman, as text
Rounds a number to a specified number of digits
Rounds a number down, toward zero
Rounds a number up, away from zero
Returns the secant of an angle
Returns the hyperbolic secant of an angle
Generates a list of sequential numbers in an array, such as 1, 2, 3, 4
Returns the sum of a power series based on the formula
Returns the sign of a number
Returns the sine of the given angle
Returns the hyperbolic sine of a number
Returns a positive square root
Returns the square root of (number * pi)
Returns a subtotal in a list or database
Adds its arguments
Adds the cells specified by a given criteria
Adds the cells in a range that meet multiple criteria
Returns the sum of the products of corresponding array components
Returns the sum of the squares of the arguments
Returns the sum of the difference of squares of corresponding values in two arrays
Returns the sum of the sum of squares of corresponding values in two arrays
Returns the sum of squares of differences of corresponding values in two arrays
Returns the tangent of a number
Returns the hyperbolic tangent of a number
Truncates a number to an integer