Display at 7 Segments in Excel: Guide and Download

This Excel file is designed to simulate a 7-segment digital display, also known as a LED LED indicator. This system allows you to display numbers from 0 to 9 by switching on and off specific light segments, organized in a standardized configuration. Each digit comes to life thanks to the targeted activation of seven segments, controlled by a precise binary value (where 1 is equivalent to “acceso” and 0 to “spento”).

How 7 Segments Display Works #

Each digit on a typical seven segment display is generated by a seven-bit sequence. In this logic, each single bit corresponds in a unique way to a letter (from “a” to “g”), which identifies the exact position of the luminous segment on the dial:

Conversion Table: Numbers and Binary Code #

Each letter from the previous line represents one of the physical segments of the display. Their activation depends exclusively on the mathematical combination of bits. Using the binary system, we can easily map the numerical alphabet. The following table illustrates the exact sequences required to “light” correctly the numbers from 0 to 9:

Project structure on Microsoft Excel #

To ensure smooth operation and a clean interface, the spreadsheet is divided into two main operating sections:

1. Sheet 1 - User interface (Frontend): This section houses the Reset Zone (a button connected to a Macro to bring the counter back to “00”), the Input Area (where you freely type a two-digit number) and the Visual Display that returns the result to screen.
2. Sheet 2 - Machine interface (Backend): It is the logical engine of the project. Here the system breaks down each single digit typed, associates it with its own binary pattern and sends it to a cell grid. These cells color black when they meet the bit “1”, simulating the ignition status of the display.

Display Development Process on Calculation Sheet #

The realization of this simulation in Microsoft Excel required about 3 hours of work. Here are the fundamental stages of the development flow:

1. Creating Input and Reset: Development of the frontal interface with the addition of a dedicated Macro for rapid zeroing of variables.
2. Logic Interface Machine: Configuration of relational connections between user input and 7-bit arrays. Excel processes graphic output through the sum of the segments activated.
3. String extraction: Advanced use of the STRINGA function. ESTRAI to divide the binary code into seven separate and independent cells.
4. Display Graphic Design: To achieve greater realism, the edges of the segments were finished drawing small triangles to the short sides. A thick grid of cells was used (about 11x11 per triangle), increasing technical complexity but ensuring excellent visual impact.
5. Conditional Format: Application of Excel native formatting rules to automatically fill the cells that report logical value “1”.
6. Error Management (Error Handling): Implementation of a locking system; if the user inserts a value greater than “99”, the control cell returns the message “ERRORE” to alert the out range.

You can freely download the original template and test the operation in person. Click here to download the Display type on Excel.

FAQ: FAQ #

What is a 7 segment display? #

It is an electronic component widely used for calculators, digital clocks and markers. It consists of 7 light diodes (LED) arranged in the form of number “8”. By switching on or off different combinations of these indicators, you can visually reproduce all decimal digits from 0 to 9.

Do you need to know VBA programming to use this Excel file? #

It is not strictly necessary. The heart of operation (the decomposing in binary codes and the ignition of segments) exploits the normal text functions of Excel and conditional formatting. However, for the specific button of “Reset” a simple macro written in VBA language was integrated.

Can I change the color of the “lighted” segments? #

Absolutely. To customize the design, just select the visual display cells, open the Conditional Formatting panel from the Excel Home menu, search for the active rule (the one that fills black with the “1” value) and replace the fill color with one of your choice.