Returns the specified number of characters from the left of the specified text.

Syntax  Copy Code
LEFT( Text text, [Integer length = 1] ) → Text

Parameters

text

Required. The string containing the characters that should be returned.

length

Optional. The number of characters to return. If omitted, length is assumed to be 1. Must be non-negative integer.

Remarks

If length is negative, the function returns #VALUE!. If length is greater than the number of characters in text, the entire text is returned. If length is not integer, it is automatically truncated.

Example

Formula  Copy Code
=LEFT(A1,LEN(A1)-1) =LEFT("-350")

See Also

Function Reference
LEN Function
MID Function
RIGHT Function