Quick answer
Return characters from the left side of text.
=LEFT(A2,3)Example data layout
Use a small table first, confirm the result, then copy the formula down the column.
| Input | Helper value | Result |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | B2 | Formula result |
| A3 | B3 | Copied formula result |
Copy-paste examples
Beginner
Basic LEFT example
=LEFT(A2,3)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Beginner
LEFT copied down rows
=LEFT(A3,3)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Intermediate
LEFT with clean fallback
=IFERROR(LEFT(A2,3),"")Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Intermediate
LEFT with structured references
=LEFT([@Input],3)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Advanced
LEFT with dynamic data
=LEFT(A2,3)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Advanced
LEFT inside a report formula
=LET(result,LEFT(A2,3),result)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Step-by-step tips
- Paste the formula into the first result cell.
- Replace sample references like A2, B2, or Table1 with your real cells or table columns.
- Test the formula on two or three rows before copying it down.
- Format the result column as Number, Date, Currency, or Percentage when needed.
- Keep a backup copy of your original data before applying formulas across a large range.
Common mistakes
- Using text values where Excel expects numbers or dates.
- Forgetting quotation marks around text criteria.
- Copying a formula without locking fixed references using dollar signs.
- Applying the wrong number format and thinking the formula is wrong.