This fileExcelis designed to simulate a7 segment digital display, also known as an indicatorLED. 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 precisebinary value(where 1 is equivalent to “acceso” and 0 to “spento”).
How 7 Segments Display Works
Each digit on a typicalseven segment displayis generated by a seven-bit sequence. In this logic, each single bit corresponds uniquely to a letter (from “to” to “g”), which identifies the exact position of the luminous segment on the dial:
| a | b | c | d | and | f | g |
|---|
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 thebinary 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:
| 0 | 1111110 |
| 1 | 0110000 |
| 2 | 1101101 |
| 3 | 1111001 |
| 4 | 0110011 |
| 5 | 1011011 |
| 6 | 1011111 |
| 7 | 1110000 |
| 8 | 1111111 |
| 9 | 1111011 |
Project Structure on Microsoft Excel
To ensure smooth operation and a clean interface, the spreadsheet is divided into two main operating sections:
- Sheet 1 – User interface (Frontend): This section houses theReset area(a button connected to a Macro to report the counter to “00”), theInput Area(where to freely type a two-digit number) andVisual displaythat returns to screen the result.
- 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 switching status of the display.
Display Development Process on Calculation Sheet
The realization of this simulation inMicrosoft Excelrequired about 3 hours of work. Here are the fundamental stages of the development flow:
- Creating Input and Reset: Development of the frontal interface with the addition of a dedicated Macro for the quick zeroing of variables.
- Machine Interface Logic: Configuration of relational links between user input and 7-bit arrays. Excel processes graphic output through the sum of the segments activated.
- String extraction: Advanced function usageSTRINGA. EXTRACTSto divide the binary code into seven separate and independent cells.
- Graphic Design of the Display: 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 11×11 for each triangle), increasing technical complexity but ensuring excellent visual impact.
- Conditional Format: Application of Excel native formatting rules to automatically fill the cells that report logical value “1”.
- 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 watches and scoreboards. 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 segment ignition) takes advantage of the normal Excel text functions 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 panelConditional Formatfrom the Excel Home menu, look for the active rule (the one that fills with black at presenting the value “1”) and replace the fill color with one of your choice.
