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LEFT function playground
Returns the first characters of a text value.
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How LEFT works
LEFT counts characters from the start of the text and returns that many. Spaces and punctuation count as characters.
Combine it with FIND to cut text at a symbol: =LEFT(E2,FIND("@",E2)-1) returns everything before the @.
Syntax
=LEFT(text, [num_chars])| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
textrequired | The text or cell to take characters from. |
num_charsoptional | How many characters to return. Default 1. |
Examples
| Formula | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
=LEFT(A2,3) | The 3-letter prefix of the code. | PRD · PRD · SVC · PRD … |
=LEFT(B2)&". "&C2 | An initial plus the last name. | G. Kim · O. Haddad · L. Chen · J. Berg … |
=LEFT(E2,FIND("@",E2)-1) | The part of the email before @. | grace.kim · omar.h · lily.chen · jonas … |
Common mistakes
Numbers become textLEFT returns text. Wrap it in VALUE if you need a number.
Hidden spacesLeading spaces count as characters. TRIM the text first.
Related functions
Learn more
Download the example workbook (.xlsx)
The workbook has the same sample data and formulas, plus a practice sheet.