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LEFT
A easy text formula for pulling characters from the left side of a string.
Syntax
=LEFT(...)Step-by-step explanation
- 1Pick the text cells or values that need to be combined or reformatted.
- 2Use the formula to extract, join, or format the text in the way you need.
- 3Press Enter and read the output as a cleaned-up label or string.
Common mistakes
Choosing the wrong character count
Using it on text with inconsistent prefixes
Forgetting that spaces count as characters
Example table
A quick scenario to connect the syntax to the result.
| 12 | 18 |
| 8 | 42 |
Formula
=LEFT(A1:B2)
Result
42
Worked example
- 1Inspect the source text in the sample table and decide what should change.
- 2Enter =LEFT(A1:B2) to format, join, or extract the text.
- 3The final text result should read 42.
Practice area
Use LEFT when the useful code, prefix, or category appears at the beginning of text.
Match against the syntax block above.