LEFT Function

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This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the LEFT function in Microsoft Excel.

Description

LEFT returns the first character or characters in a text string, based on the number of characters you specify. The LEFT is also used for standardization of data.

Syntax

LEFT(text, [num_chars])
text is your cell reference and
[num_chars] is number of characters to be extratcted.

or in plain english the LEFT function means

LEFT(from this text, this many letters)
Example:
LEFT("A10-020 Furniture & Fixture", 7) = A10-020

The function syntax has the following arguments:

  • Text Required. The text string that contains the characters you want to extract.
  • Num_chars Optional. Specifies the number of characters you want LEFT to extract.
    • Num_chars must be greater than or equal to zero.
    • If num_chars is greater than the length of text, LEFT returns all of text.
    • If num_chars is omitted, it is assumed to be 1.