Returns string of specified length from the left of the string passed to the function. If the number of characters are not passed then only returns the left most character.
= LEFT(str)
= LEFT(str, num_chars)
Str |
A string which contains the characters to be extracted. The value can be specified as an integer (e.g., 37), as a decimal value (e.g., 37.48), as a string (“word”), or as the value of a variable (e.g, UnitPrice). |
num_chars (optional) |
A positive integer which specifies the number of characters to be extracted. |
String.
In the case of an error, the function displays an error message: “LEFT(str): Error message” or “LEFT(str, num_chars): Error message”.
The function can be used in combination with other functions.
Example |
Returns |
= LEFT(“test”) |
“t” |
= LEFT(“Iron Speed Designer”, 10) |
“Iron Speed” |
= LEFT(OrderID, 4) |
The first four digits of the OrderID. |
= LEFT(“$1234”) |
“$” sign |
= UPPER(LEFT(“Iron Speed”, 4)) |
The upper case version of the extracted string. |
= CONCATENATE(LEFT(“Iron Speed Designer”, 10), “,a .NET code generator”) |
A concatenated version of the extracted string and the passed string. |