Reference > Functions reference > Text functions > Left
 

Left

Returns the specified numberOfCharacters in text, counting from the left.

Format 

Left ( text ; numberOfCharacters )

Parameters 

text - any text expression or text field

numberOfCharacters - any numeric expression or field containing a number

Data type returned 

text

Originated in 

FileMaker Pro 6.0 or earlier

Example 1 

Left ( "Manufacturing" ; 4 ) returns Manu.

Example 2 

Left ( Name ; Position ( Name ; " " ; 1 ; 1 ) - 1 ) returns Sophie, when the Name field contains Sophie Tang.

Example 3 

Left ( PostalCode ; 3 ) & Upper ( Left ( LastName ; 4 ) ) returns 481JOHN when the PostalCode field contains 48187 and LastName contains Johnson.

Related topics 

Functions reference (category list)

Functions reference (alphabetical list)

About formulas

About functions

Defining calculation fields

Using operators in formulas