Excel get value from left cell

The LEFT function in Excel is a type of text function in Excel that gives the number of characters from the start of the string, from left to right. So, for example, if we use this function as =LEFT ( “ANAND”,2) this will give us AN as a result. From the example, we can see that this function takes two arguments.

The Microsoft Excel LEFT function is a function that allows you to extract a substring from a string and starts from the leftmost character. It is a built-in function in excel, categorized as a “String/Text Function.” The LEFT function in Excel can either be used as a worksheet function (WS) or a VBA functionVBA functions serve the primary purpose to carry out specific calculations and to return a value. Therefore, in VBA, we use syntax to specify the parameters and data type while defining the function. Such functions are called user-defined functions.read more (VBA) in Microsoft Excel. The LEFT function in Excel can be entered as a formula in an Excel worksheet cell in terms of worksheet function. In terms of the VBA function, we can use the LEFT function in Excel in macro code, which we can enter through the Microsoft Visual Basic Editor.

LEFT Formula in Excel

Excel get value from left cell

The LEFT formula in Excel accepts the following parameters and arguments:

text– Required. It is referred to as the string that you wish to extract from.

number_of_characters – [Optional]. It is referred to as the number of characters you want to extract, starting from the leftmost character. Note that if this parameter is omitted, it will return only 1 character.

Return Value:

The return value will be either a string or a text value.

LEFT Function in Excel Usage Notes

  • We should use the LEFT function in Excel for extracting characters starting from the left side of the text.
  • Number_of_characters is optional and defaults to 1.
  • The LEFT function in Excel will extract digits from numbers as well.
  • Number formatting (the currency symbol $) is not part of a number. Therefore these are not counted or extracted by the EXCEL LEFT function.

How to Open the LEFT Function in Excel?

Below are some of the examples of LEFT functions in Excel.

  1. We can insert the desired LEFT formula in Excel in the required cell to attain a return value on the argument.
  2. We can manually open the LEFT formula in the Excel dialog box in the spreadsheet and enter the text and number of characters.

Excel get value from left cell

  1. We can see the LEFT formula in the Excel option under the “Text” tab of the “Formulas” tab in the menu bar from the above spreadsheet.
  2. To open the LEFT formula in the Excel dialog box, click on the “Text” tab under the “Formulas” tab and click “LEFT.” See the sample below.

Excel get value from left cell

  1. The above dialogue box will open where you can put the arguments to attain a “Formula result.”

Some Formulas of LEFT Function in Excel

We can use the below given generic formula for getting a substring that precedes any other character:

Excel get value from left cell

The above LEFT formula in Excel is used when we want to extract the part of the text string which is preceding a specific character. For example, if we are going to pull the first names from a column of full names or we want to extract the country codes from the list of phone numbers.

Removing the last N characters from a string:

You can use the following generic formula for removing the last N characters from a string.

Excel get value from left cell

The above LEFT formula in Excel is used when we want to remove a certain number of characters from the end of the string and pull the rest of the string into another cell. The working of the LEFT formula in Excel is based on the logic: the LEN function is used to get the total number of characters in a string. The LEFT formula in Excel subtracts the number of unwanted characters from the total length, and the LEFT function in Excel returns the remaining characters.

How to Use LEFT Function in Excel with Examples

1. Worksheet Function

Let us look below at some examples of the LEFT function in Excel. These examples will help you explore the use of the LEFT function in Excel.

Excel get value from left cell

In the above spreadsheet, the LEFT formula in excel written is =LEFT (A1, 5).

The result based on the syntax of the LEFT function is TOMAT.

Let’s look at some more examples –

LEFT in Excel Example #1

When the LEFT formula in Excel is written is =LEFT (A2, 8)

Result: amazon.c

Consider the Excel spreadsheet below.

Excel get value from left cell

LEFT in Excel Example #2

When the LEFT formula in Excel is written, as =LEFT (“Excel”, 2)

Result: “Ex”

Consider the Excel spreadsheet below.

Excel get value from left cell

LEFT in Excel Example #3

When the LEFT formula is written as = LEFT (“EXCEL”)

Result: “E”

Consider the Excel spreadsheet below

Excel get value from left cell

LEFT in Excel Example #4

When the LEFT formula is written, as =LEFT (“Excel”, 25)

Result: “Excel”

Look at the spreadsheet below to understand the above example.

Excel get value from left cell

LEFT in Excel Example #5

Consider the data below, which is put in an Excel spreadsheet.

  • 85522-10002
  • 91-98125-55237
  • Original Text

These are the return values for the Excel LEFT function mentioned.

Excel get value from left cell
  • When the LEFT formula in Excel is entered as =LEFT(A7,4), the result is 8552.
  • When the LEFT formula in Excel is entered as =LEFT(A8,5), the result is 91-98.
  • When the LEFT formula in Excel is entered as =LEFT(A9,5), the result is Origi.
  1. LEFT Function VBA

You can also use the LEFT function VBA Code in Microsoft Excel.

Look at the below examples to understand the LEFT function as a VBA function.

LEFT function VBA Example #1

Extracting a substring of length 4 from the start of the string Kelly Michael.

Excel get value from left cell

The variable res is now equal to the text string Kell.

In the above example, the LEFT function VBA returns the result, Kell.

LEFT Function VBA Example #2

Extracting a substring of length 8 from the start of the string Kelly John Michael.

Excel get value from left cell

The variable res will now equal the text string “Kelly Joh.”

In the above example, VBA LEFTExcel VBA Left is an inbuilt worksheet text function that facilitates the user to extract a certain number of characters (denoted as N) from the left side of a string. It helps in pulling the leftmost substring from a particular string in the data set.read more function returns the result “Kelly Joh.”

Things to Remember

  • The LEFT in Excel is a function by which we can extract a substring from a string, starting from the leftmost character.
  • The return value can be a string or text value.
  • The return value depends on the arguments we input in the formula syntax of the OR function.
  • #VALUE! Error – This occurs if the given (number_of_characters) argument is less than 0.
  • Dates are put away in Excel as numbers, and it is just the cell formatting that makes them show up as dates in our spreadsheet. Therefore, if we attempt to use the Excel LEFT function on a date, it will return the number’s starting characters that represent that date.

This article is a guide to LEFT Function in Excel. We discuss the LEFT formula in Excel, use the LEFT Excel function and Excel examples, and downloadable Excel templates. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel: –

  • VBA LEFT Excel VBA Left is an inbuilt worksheet text function that facilitates the user to extract a certain number of characters (denoted as N) from the left side of a string. It helps in pulling the leftmost substring from a particular string in the data set.read more
  • SUM FunctionThe SUM function in excel adds the numerical values in a range of cells. Being categorized under the Math and Trigonometry function, it is entered by typing “=SUM” followed by the values to be summed. The values supplied to the function can be numbers, cell references or ranges.read more
  • Trim in Excel | ExamplesThe Trim function in Excel does exactly what its name implies: it trims some part of any string. The function of this formula is to remove any space in a given string. It does not remove a single space between two words, but it does remove any other unwanted spaces.read more
  • INDEX Excel FunctionThe INDEX function in Excel helps extract the value of a cell, which is within a specified array (range) and, at the intersection of the stated row and column numbers.read more
  • SUMIFS with DatesSUMIFS function is used when there is more than one criterion. When it is fulfilled, the range of cells are summed. It also supports dates as the criteria and the operators for criterion. Syntax =SUMIFS( sum range, range for date, criteria date, date 2, criteria date 2).read more

How do I extract data from the left in Excel?

The LEFT Function.
Click in the cell where you want to insert the function..
Click the Formulas tab..
Click the Text Function button..
Select LEFT. ... .
In the Text field, select the cell containing text you want to extract..
In the Num_chars field,enter the number of characters you want to extract..
Click OK..

Can you do VLOOKUP to the left?

One of the VLOOKUP function's key limitations is that it can only lookup values to the right. In other words, the column that contains lookup values must sit the the left of the values you want to retrieve with VLOOKUP. There is no way to override this behavior since it is hardwired into the function.

Can Xlookup look to the left?

Whereas VLOOKUP is limited to lookups to the right of the lookup column, XLOOKUP can lookup values to the left natively. This means XLOOKUP can be used instead of INDEX and MATCH to find values to the left in a table or range.

How do I extract text from left to right in Excel?

Related functions The RIGHT function is used to extract text from the right side of a text string. Use the LEFT function to extract text starting from the left side of the text, and the MID function to extract from the middle of the text. The LEN function returns the length of text as a count of characters.