Excel LEFT Function

Summary

The Excel LEFT function extracts a given number of characters from the left side of a supplied text string. For example, LEFT("apple",3) returns "app".

Purpose

Extract text from the left of a string

Return value

One or more characters.

Syntax

=LEFT (text, [num_chars])

Arguments

text - The text from which to extract characters.
num_chars - [optional] The number of characters to extract, starting on the left side of text. Default = 1.

Usage notes

Use the LEFT function when you want to extract characters starting at the left side of text.
num_chars is optional and defaults to 1.
LEFT will extract digits from numbers as well.
Number formatting (i.e. the currency symbol $) is not part of a number so is not counted or extracted.