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Engineering function
BITLSHIFT
Returns a number shifted left by the specified number of bits.
Rarely usedDifficulty 1350 · AdvancedUsage rank #421 of 520
When to use it
Shifts bits left, multiplying by 2 for each position. A negative shift moves right.
The shape of it
- Syntax
=BITLSHIFT(number, shift_amount)
Worked examples
Simple
=BITLSHIFT(4,2) → 16
100 becomes 10000.
Power of two
=BITLSHIFT(1,10) → 1024
2 to the 10th.
Negative shift
=BITLSHIFT(16,-2) → 4
Negative shifts right.
Worth knowing
- Same as number × 2^shift for small values.
- Shift amount must be within ±53.
- Pack two values: BITOR(BITLSHIFT(a,8),b).
Where it goes wrong
- #NUM! when the result exceeds 2^48 or shift exceeds 53.
- #VALUE! for text.
Related
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