=LEFTOF

The =LEFTOF function returns all text that appears to the left of a specified character or word within a text value.

Syntax

=LEFTOF(ReturnLeftOf; SearchInString)

Parameters

• ReturnLeftOf
  The character or text to locate. All characters to the left of this value will be returned.

• SearchInString
  The text string (or field value) to search within.

How It Works

• Scans the text string from left to right

• Finds the first occurrence of the ReturnLeftOf value

• Returns all characters to the left of that occurrence

• If the ReturnLeftOf value is not found, the function returns an empty value

• Only the first occurrence of the search value is used; subsequent matches are ignored

Usage Notes

• Spaces and special characters are included in the result

• Works with text fields or text-converted numbers

• Formula functions are case sensitive and must be written in ALL CAPS

Examples

To return everything to the left of the @ symbol in an email address:

=LEFTOF("@"; [[Email Address]])

This returns the username portion of the email address.

In the example above, the function will return quick because it is to the left of the search text brown.

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Keywords

LEFTOF, text extraction, substring, string functions, email parsing, text manipulation, calculated value, formula function