LEFT Function
Learn how to use the LEFT function in Excel with Inside Excel’s step-by-step guide, examples, and best practices for text extraction.
Syntax
=LEFT(text, [num_chars])Description
The LEFT function extracts a specified number of characters from the beginning (left side) of a text string. It is useful for retrieving specific portions of text, such as extracting initials or separating a prefix from a longer string.
Arguments
- text: The text string from which to extract characters. This argument is required.
- [num_chars] (optional): The number of characters to extract from the left side of the text. If omitted, the function defaults to 1.
Return Value
A text string containing the extracted characters from the left side of the input string.
How to Use the LEFT Function
Basic Example: Extract the first three characters from the text in cell A1:
=LEFT(A1, 3)If A1 contains “Excel”, the result will be “Exc”.
Extract the First Word: Use LEFT with FIND to get the first word from a text string:
=LEFT(A1, FIND(" ", A1)-1)This extracts all characters before the first space in A1.
Dynamic Extraction: Combine LEFT with LEN and SEARCH to extract text dynamically based on patterns.
Video Tutorial
Watch this video tutorial to see the LEFT function in action and learn various use cases: [Embed video link here]
LEFT Function Tips and Tricks
- Use with Numbers Stored as Text: LEFT extracts characters from numbers stored as text. To use them as actual numbers, wrap the function in VALUE:
=VALUE(LEFT(A1,3)). - Handling Errors: When using FIND within LEFT, ensure the text contains the searched character to avoid errors.
- Combine with MID or RIGHT: To extract text from different parts of a string, use MID or RIGHT alongside LEFT.
Practice Problems
- Problem 1: Extract the first 4 characters from a list of product codes in Values Column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can LEFT function be used on numbers?
Yes, but numbers must be stored as text; otherwise, LEFT will return unexpected results.
What happens if num_chars is greater than the text length?
If num_chars is greater than the length of the text, the entire text is returned.
Can LEFT be used with non-printable characters?
Yes, but use CLEAN to remove any non-printable characters before applying LEFT.
Additional Resources
- Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft’s Official LEFT Documentation
