In this post, let’s learn how the LEFT Function works in excel, describe the formula syntax, and how you can use the LEFT Function in your excel spreadsheet.
What is LEFT Function in Excel?
The LEFT function extracts the character from the left side of a supplied text string. It extracts the text based on the number of characters specified.
Syntax of LEFT Function
= LEFT(text,[num_chars])
Parameter
- Text– The text from where you extract the characters.
- Num_chars– The number of characters that you want to extract.
Example
=LEFT(A2)
=LEFT(A2,4)
How to use LEFT Function in Excel?
The following steps will explain the work of the LEFT function in an excel spreadsheet:
First, prepare an excel sheet with the specified details in it, or open an existing file with data.
- The LEFT Function in Excel is very simple and easy to use.
- To, perform LEFT Function, let us begin with the LEFT command following the “=” operator within the parenthesis declare the address of the cell and the number of characters to be extracted.
Another method to perform the LEFT function is,
- In the Formulas ribbon, you can see the text command in it by choosing the text command a dropdown list appears, In the drop-down list now you going to choose the LEFT function.
- After that, a function argument dialogue box appears in your excel spreadsheet. In the dialogue box by filling the arguments you can perform the LEFT function. This is another method to perform the LEFT function.
Note:
- The LEFT Function takes the specified character as 1 when the number of characters is omitted.
