First three characters
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Code |
| 2 | NYC-1042 |
Formula: C1: =LEFT(A2,3)
Result: NYC
Takes the first three characters of the code.
Google Sheets function
LEFT in Google Sheets
LEFT with worked examples you can test in the live grid. The argument details are in the Excel guide.
In Google Sheets
The arguments and common errors are covered in the LEFT Excel guide; check the function help in Google Sheets for its own argument list.
Worked examples in Google Sheets
Middle of the string with MID
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Code |
| 2 | NYC-1042 |
Formula: C1: =MID(A2,5,4)
Result: 1042
Starts at character 5 and takes 4 characters.
Everything before the @
| A | |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | [email protected] |
Formula: C1: =LEFT(A2,FIND("@",A2)-1)
Result: sam
FIND returns the position of @ (4); subtracting 1 leaves the characters before it.
Try it
A tiny spreadsheet with example data. Edit the formula or any number and see the result.
Formula in D2: =LEFT(A2,5)
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Text | Other | Result | |
| 2 | Alice Johnson | alice johnson | Alice | |
| 3 | [email protected] | [email protected] | ||
| 4 | extra spaces | |||
| 5 | SKU-2026-0415 | |||
| 6 | iced coffee, tea, sugar | |||
| 7 | Order 417 shipped |
Result in D2: Alice
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