---
title: "LEFT function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "How to use LEFT in Excel and Google Sheets: take the first characters of a code, name or number."
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---

> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The LEFT function**

Returns the first characters of a text. Without num\_chars it returns one character.

=

LEFT(

## **Syntax**

```
LEFT(text, [num_chars])
```

<dl><dt>**text **</dt>
<dd>The text to take characters from.</dd>
<dt>**num_chars **(optional)</dt>
<dd>How many characters to return. Default 1.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

C1`=LEFT(<sup>1</sup>A2,<sup>2</sup>2)`

|  | A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Code |  | **DK** |
| 2 | DK-2100 |  | |

**In plain words:** Take <sup>2</sup>the first 2 characters of <sup>1</sup>the code in A2.

C1=LEFT(A2)

|  | A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Code |  | **D** |
| 2 | DK-2100 |  | |

## **Practice LEFT**

- [**1****Build an ID from a department and a number**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/join-text/build-id-left-upper)

## **Read the guide**

- [**How to clean data in Excel with formulas**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/clean-data-in-excel)
- [**How to merge cells in Excel, and what to use instead**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/merge-cells-excel)

## **Related functions**

- [**RIGHT**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/right)
- [**MID**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/mid)
- [**FIND**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/find)

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