LEFT() : extract the first characters of a text

The LEFT() function returns the first n characters of a text string, as a text string. It is useful for extracting a prefix or a code.

The output type format of the result is configured in the output field options of the formula editor: see Formula column.

Syntax

LEFT(text, number_of_characters)

How to reference parameters in TimeTonic: $field_name for a field (link, linked-table column, number, selection, formula, text); "free text" in quotes; no quotes for numbers.

Parameters

# Parameter Description

1 text Source text string.

2 number_of_characters Number of characters to return from the beginning (1 by default).

Example

Extract the first 3 characters

"ABC1234" becomes "ABC".

LEFT("ABC1234", 3)

If number_of_characters is 0, an empty string is returned. If number_of_characters exceeds the length of the text, the full string is returned.

Go further

RIGHT

Extract the last n characters of a text string.

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Formula glossary

All available operators and functions, organized by category.