# LPAD

## Syntax

```sql
LPAD(str, len [,padstr])
```

## Description

Returns the string `str`, left-padded with the string `padstr` to a length of `len` characters. If `str` is longer than `len`, the return value is shortened to `len` characters. If `padstr` is omitted, the LPAD function pads spaces.

Returns `NULL` if given a `NULL` argument. If the result is empty (zero length), returns either an empty string or with [SQL\_MODE=Oracle](/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/compatibility-and-differences/sql_modeoracle.md), `NULL`.

The Oracle mode version of the function can be accessed outside of Oracle mode by using `LPAD_ORACLE` as the function name.

## Examples

```sql
SELECT LPAD('hello',10,'.');
+----------------------+
| LPAD('hello',10,'.') |
+----------------------+
| .....hello           |
+----------------------+

SELECT LPAD('hello',2,'.');
+---------------------+
| LPAD('hello',2,'.') |
+---------------------+
| he                  |
+---------------------+
```

With the pad string defaulting to space:

```sql
SELECT LPAD('hello',10);
+------------------+
| LPAD('hello',10) |
+------------------+
|      hello       |
+------------------+
```

Oracle mode:

```sql
SELECT LPAD('',0),LPAD_ORACLE('',0);
+------------+-------------------+
| LPAD('',0) | LPAD_ORACLE('',0) |
+------------+-------------------+
|            | NULL              |
+------------+-------------------+
```

## See Also

* [RPAD](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/rpad.md) - Right-padding instead of left-padding.

<sub>*This page is licensed: GPLv2, originally from*</sub> [<sub>*fill\_help\_tables.sql*</sub>](https://github.com/MariaDB/server/blob/main/scripts/fill_help_tables.sql)

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