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Engineering function
BITXOR
Returns the bitwise exclusive OR of two numbers.
Rarely usedDifficulty 1350 · AdvancedUsage rank #424 of 520
When to use it
Bitwise exclusive OR: a bit is set where exactly one input has it. Toggling flags and simple checksums.
The shape of it
- Syntax
=BITXOR(number1, number2)
Worked examples
Simple
=BITXOR(5,3) → 6
101 XOR 011 is 110.
Another pair
=BITXOR(12,10) → 6
1100 XOR 1010 is 0110.
Self
=BITXOR(7,7) → 0
Anything XOR itself is 0.
Worth knowing
- Toggle a flag: BITXOR(value,flag).
- XOR twice with the same key returns the original.
- Inputs below 2^48.
Where it goes wrong
- #NUM! for negatives or non-integers.
- #VALUE! for text.
Related
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