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Excel LEFT Function

The LEFT function is used to retrieve a chosen amount of characters, counting from the left side of an Excel cell. The chosen number has to be greater than 0 and is set to 1 by default

LEFT Function

The LEFT function is used to retrieve a chosen amount of characters, counting from the left side of an Excel cell. The chosen number has to be greater than 0 and is set to 1 by default.

It is typed =LEFT

If you want to use the function on a single cell, write:

=LEFT(cell)

If you want to use the function on a range of cells, write:

=LEFT(start cell:end cell)

How to Use LEFT Function

To retrieve values from the left side of an Excel cell, use LEFT.

Step 1) Start the LEFT function
  • Select a cell E2
  • Type =LEFT
  • Double click the LEFT command
    • Follow along the tutorial by trying it yourself!

    Copy the values in the example above and try it on your own!

    Step 2) Enter values to the LEFT function
  • Select a cell (A2)
  • Hit enter
    • =LEFT(A2) uses the default funcion of LEFT and retrieves the first symbol from the A2 cell.
    Excel Skills for Business Specialization

    How to Use the LEFT Function with a Defined Length of Characters

    Learn to use =LEFT to get more than one character.

    Step 1) Start the LEFT function
  • Select a cell E2
  • Type =LEFT
  • Double click the LEFT command

    • Note: The different parts of the function are separated by a symbol, like comma , or semicolon ;

    The symbol depends on your Language Settings.

    Step 2) Select cells and set the number of characters
  • Enter the cell name (A2) and define the length of characters you want to retrieve, using a , as a delimiter (A2,3)
  • Hit enter

    • The function returns the first 3 characters from cell A2.

    How to use the LEFT Function on a Range of Cells

    Step 1) Start the LEFT function
  • Select a cell E2
  • Type =LEFT
  • Double click the LEFT command
    • Step 2) Select cells and number of characters
  • Select the cells (A2:A4) and define the length of characters you want to retrieve, using a , as a delimiter (A2:A4,3)
  • Hit enter

    • The function returns the first 3 characters from each cell within the range A2:A4.

    function copyFormulas(elementId){ /* Get the text field */ var copyText = document.getElementById(elementId); /* Select the text field */ copyText.select(); copyText.setSelectionRange(0, 99999); /* For mobile devices */ /* Copy the text inside the text field */ navigator.clipboard.writeText(copyText.value) .then(() => { alert('Range copied to clipboard.\nIt can now be pasted into the Excel spreadsheet.') }) .catch((error) => { alert(`Copy failed! ${error}`) }) }

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