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DEC2HEX Function (LibreOffice Calc)

Engineering Beginner LibreOffice Calc LibreOffice 3.0

The DEC2HEX function converts a decimal (base‑10) integer into a hexadecimal (base‑16) string. It supports optional padding and handles negative values using two’s complement representation.

The **DEC2HEX** function converts a decimal (base‑10) integer into a **hexadecimal (base‑16)** string. It supports optional padding and handles negative values using a 10‑bit two’s complement representation.

What the DEC2HEX Function Does

  • Converts decimal → hexadecimal
  • Returns a text string
  • Supports optional minimum-length padding
  • Handles negative numbers using two’s complement
  • Useful in engineering, encoding, and bitwise workflows

Syntax

DEC2HEX(number; [places])

Arguments

  • number:
    Decimal integer between –549,755,813,888 and 549,755,813,887.

  • places (optional):
    Minimum length of the returned hex string.
    Pads with leading zeros if necessary.

Basic Examples

Convert decimal to hex

=DEC2HEX(255)
→ "FF"

Convert with padding

=DEC2HEX(255; 6)
→ "0000FF"

Convert a negative number

=DEC2HEX(-10)
→ "FFFFFFFFF6"   (two’s complement)

Advanced Examples

Force 8‑character hex output

=REPT("0"; 8-LEN(DEC2HEX(A1))) & DEC2HEX(A1)

Round‑trip validation

=HEX2DEC(DEC2HEX(A1))

Convert decimal → hex → binary

=DEC2BIN(HEX2DEC(DEC2HEX(A1)))

Extract the low byte

=RIGHT(DEC2HEX(A1; 2); 2)

Use in bitwise logic

=DEC2HEX(BITAND(A1; 255))

Convert a range of values

=ARRAYFORMULA(DEC2HEX(A1:A10))

Edge Cases and Behavior Details

DEC2HEX returns text, not a number

Valid input range

  • Minimum: –549,755,813,888
  • Maximum: 549,755,813,887

Negative numbers use two’s complement

Hex output is always unsigned.

Examples:

  • –1 → "FFFFFFFFFF"
  • –10 → "FFFFFFFFF6"

Behavior details

  • If places is too small → Err:502
  • If places is omitted → no padding
  • If number is out of range → Err:502
  • Hex letters are uppercase (A–F)

Common Errors and Fixes

Err:502 — Invalid argument

Cause:

  • Number outside valid range
  • places < length of hex result
  • Non‑integer input

Fix:

  • Clamp input
  • Increase places
  • Wrap with INT()

Unexpected long hex strings

Cause:

  • Two’s complement for negative numbers

Fix:

  • Use HEX2DEC to interpret
  • Document bit width assumptions

Best Practices

  • Always specify places when consistent width is required
  • Use DEC2HEX for encoding, engineering, and bitwise workflows
  • Use BASE() for arbitrary‑base conversions
  • Normalize hex strings before comparison
  • Document two’s complement behavior for negative values
DEC2HEX is ideal for low‑level engineering, encoding, and bitwise modeling — especially when paired with HEX2DEC, DEC2BIN, and BASE().
  • HEX2DEC — hex → decimal
  • DEC2BIN / DEC2OCT — other base conversions
  • BASE — general base conversion
  • BITAND / BITOR / BITXOR — bitwise logic
  • TEXT functions — padding and formatting

By mastering DEC2HEX, you can build precise, encoding‑ready engineering models in LibreOffice Calc.

Reproducible example (tested in LibreOffice Calc)

This standalone example was calculated in LibreOffice Calc 25.2.3.2 and matched the expected value. It is a practical cross-check of one usage, not proof that every example elsewhere on this page is correct.

=DEC2HEX(255)

Expected result: FF.

Convert decimal 255 into a hexadecimal string.

If the result differs, check the referenced cells, argument separators and number formatting. For more information, consult the LibreOffice Calc official help.