LEFT(<text>, <num of chars to keep>)
LEFTB for double byte chars like Unicode
=LEFT(<cell address>,<characters to keep starting from left)
LEFTB for double byte chars like Unicode
=LEFT(<cell address>,<characters to keep starting from left)
Take for example a value in cell A1 that is 10 characters long. We want to reduce it to only display 5 and place it in cell B1. To do so, type the followings in cell B1 and press enter.
=LEFT(A1,5)
Alternatively, first insert a new column beside the original column. In the first cell of the new column that is type in the followings:-
=LEFT(
then click the cell with the value you want to truncate, press the comma button, and type 5, and press enter key.
In the cell B1 that has the new truncated value, notice that in the bottom right of its selection box there is a little square dot. Drag that down to make more truncated version for each of the values in the original column.
Next, with these values still highlighted, copy them. Paste them to a new column and select 'Paste special...'. Select the "Values" radio button and click Ok. This will paste all the values without the Excel Function.
Alternatively, first insert a new column beside the original column. In the first cell of the new column that is type in the followings:-
=LEFT(
then click the cell with the value you want to truncate, press the comma button, and type 5, and press enter key.
In the cell B1 that has the new truncated value, notice that in the bottom right of its selection box there is a little square dot. Drag that down to make more truncated version for each of the values in the original column.
Next, with these values still highlighted, copy them. Paste them to a new column and select 'Paste special...'. Select the "Values" radio button and click Ok. This will paste all the values without the Excel Function.
