Left

Use this function to return a specified number of left most characters.

Syntax

Left (String, Length)

Parameter

Description

String

Enter a valid string. The default is the value of the current field.

Length

Specify the desired length of output. The default is the length of the input string.

The system returns a string equivalent to the given length from the left portion of the string.

The input string is trimmed of leading and trailing spaces. If the length specified in the second parameter exceeds the length of the string, the result is increased to the given length.

Example

Here are some examples:

(Assume the current field contains the text Your Name and can be up to 20 characters.)

Function

Result

Explanation

Left ( )

Your Name

Defaults to the current field and returns the full length of the field.

Left

("Complete blanks.", 5)

Compl

Default to position one (1) and returns the first five characters.

Left (" final payment", 13)

"final payment"

Trims the field of leading spaces and returns 13 characters.

See also