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LEFT

The LEFT function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool to return a substring from the beginning of a specified string. Whether you are extracting prefixes from text or working with specific character limits, the LEFT function simplifies the task. Dive into our comprehensive guide to master its application.

Function Syntax and Parameters

Syntax: LEFT(string, [number_of_characters])

Parameters:

  • string: The input string from which the substring will be extracted.
  • number_of_characters: [Optional] The number of characters to be included in the substring. If not provided, the default is 1.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

  1. Using LEFT with a string and a specified number of characters:

    • Example: =LEFT("Hello World", 5)
    • Result: "Hello"

  2. Using LEFT with a string and no specified number of characters:

    • Example: =LEFT("Hello World")
    • Result: "H"

Use Cases and Scenarios

  1. Extracting Initials: Retrieve the first letter from a person's full name.
  2. Parsing Text: Extract the area code from a phone number.
  3. Character Limiting: Limit the number of characters displayed in a cell.

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