The LEFT function returns a set number of characters from the start of a text string. Type =LEFT(A2,3) to get the first three characters of cell A2. If you leave out the number, as in =LEFT(A2), Excel returns just the first character.
Applies to: Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016 on Windows and Mac, and Excel for the web. Checked against Microsoft Support on October 10, 2026.
LEFT function syntax
=LEFT(text, [num_chars])
- text: The text or cell you want characters from.
- num_chars (optional): How many characters to return, counting from the left. It must be zero or more. If it’s bigger than the text, Excel returns the whole text.
Basic examples
=LEFT("Excel",2)returns Ex.=LEFT(A2,5)returns the first five characters of A2, including any spaces.=LEFT(A2)returns the first character, such as an initial from a first name.
Get the first word
To return everything before the first space, combine LEFT with FIND:
=LEFT(A2,FIND(" ",A2)-1)
FIND locates the first space, and the -1 drops the space itself. “Jane Smith” returns “Jane”. If a cell has only one word, FIND returns an error, so wrap it like this: =IFERROR(LEFT(A2,FIND(" ",A2)-1),A2).
In Microsoft 365, =TEXTBEFORE(A2," ") does the same thing more simply.
Get text before any character
Replace the space with another character. For example, for a product code like INV-2048, =LEFT(A2,FIND("-",A2)-1) returns INV. For an email address, use “@” to get the part before the @ sign.
Remove characters from the end
Combine LEFT with LEN to drop a fixed number of characters from the right. =LEFT(A2,LEN(A2)-4) removes the last four characters, which is handy for stripping a file extension like “.pdf”. See how to remove characters from a cell in Excel for more methods.
Turn the result back into a number
LEFT always returns text, even if the characters are digits. To use the result in calculations, wrap it in VALUE: =VALUE(LEFT(A2,4)). Text numbers are aligned to the left of the cell, which is a quick way to spot them.
LEFT and dates
Excel stores dates as numbers, so =LEFT(A2,4) on a date returns digits from that number, not the year. Use =YEAR(A2) for the year, or =TEXT(A2,"yyyy") if you need it as text.
More practical uses
- Area codes: For phone numbers stored like 5551234567,
=LEFT(A2,3)returns the area code. If they contain brackets or dashes, clean them first. - Usernames:
=LOWER(LEFT(A2,1)&B2)turns “Jane” and “Smith” into “jsmith”. - Years from text dates: If dates are stored as text like 2025-06-14,
=LEFT(A2,4)returns 2025. - Category codes: If product codes start with a two-letter category, such as EL1042,
=LEFT(A2,2)lets you filter or count by category.
Use LEFT on a whole range at once
In Microsoft 365, you can give LEFT a range instead of one cell. =LEFT(A2:A100,3) returns the first three characters of every cell, and the results spill down automatically. In older versions, write the formula in one cell and fill it down.
A no-formula alternative: Flash Fill
If you only need the result once, type the first answer by hand in the next column, then press Ctrl + E. Flash Fill copies the pattern down. Unlike a formula, the results don’t update if the original text changes.
Related functions
- RIGHT: returns characters from the end of the text.
- MID: returns characters from the middle, starting at a position you choose.
- LEN: counts the characters in a cell.
- FIND and SEARCH: return the position of a character. SEARCH ignores upper and lower case.
If LEFT gives an error or odd result
- #VALUE!:
num_charsis negative, often because FIND couldn’t find the character. Use IFERROR, as shown above. - The result includes a space: The text has leading spaces. Use
=LEFT(TRIM(A2),3), or see how to remove a space before text in Excel. - The result looks like a number but won’t add up: It’s text. Use VALUE.
- The result shows more characters than expected: Some characters, such as emojis, can count as two.
Frequently asked questions
Can LEFT split a whole column at once?
Yes. Write the formula in the first row and fill it down. To split by a delimiter without formulas, use Text to Columns.
Is LEFT case-sensitive?
No. LEFT just copies characters as they are. FIND, often used with it, is case-sensitive, while SEARCH isn’t.
Does LEFT work in Google Sheets?
Yes, with the same syntax.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.