What is LEFT?
Extracts a specified number of characters from the beginning of a text string. Essential for parsing codes, IDs, and structured text.
Syntax
=LEFT(text, [num_chars])
Example
Formula: =LEFT(A2, 3)
Result: Exc
How It Works
Returns the first 3 characters from the text in A2. If A2 contains 'Excel', result is 'Exc'. Default is 1 character if num_chars is omitted.