LEFT

The LEFT function returns the first character or characters in a text string, based on the number of characters you specify. When used with a number, the resultant value is stored as text.

Syntax

left(text/number, [num_chars])

Arguments

text/number - Required. The text string that contains the characters you want to extract

num_chars - Required. Specifies the number of characters you want LEFT to extract.

Example

left([Full Name],4)

When the field Full Name has the value of Johny Rivers, this will return John

Excel equivalent

LEFT