# TRIM

## Syntax

```sql
TRIM_ORACLE([{BOTH | LEADING | TRAILING} [remstr] FROM] str), TRIM([remstr FROM] str)
```

## Description

Returns the string `str` with all `remstr` prefixes or suffixes removed. If none of the specifiers `BOTH`, `LEADING`, or `TRAILING` is given, `BOTH` is assumed. `remstr` is optional and, if not specified, spaces are removed.

Returns `NULL` if given a `NULL` argument. If the result is empty, returns either an empty string, or, with [SQL\_MODE=Oracle](/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/compatibility-and-differences/sql_modeoracle.md), `NULL`. `SQL_MODE=Oracle` is not set by default.

The Oracle mode version of the function can be accessed in any mode by using `TRIM_ORACLE` as the function name.

## Examples

```sql
SELECT TRIM('  bar   ')\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
TRIM('  bar   '): bar

SELECT TRIM(LEADING 'x' FROM 'xxxbarxxx')\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
TRIM(LEADING 'x' FROM 'xxxbarxxx'): barxxx

SELECT TRIM(BOTH 'x' FROM 'xxxbarxxx')\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
TRIM(BOTH 'x' FROM 'xxxbarxxx'): bar

SELECT TRIM(TRAILING 'xyz' FROM 'barxxyz')\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
TRIM(TRAILING 'xyz' FROM 'barxxyz'): barx
```

With SQL\_MODE=Oracle not set:

```sql
SELECT TRIM(''),TRIM_ORACLE('');
+----------+-----------------+
| TRIM('') | TRIM_ORACLE('') |
+----------+-----------------+
|          | NULL            |
+----------+-----------------+
```

With SQL\_MODE=Oracle set:

```sql
SELECT TRIM(''),TRIM_ORACLE('');
+----------+-----------------+
| TRIM('') | TRIM_ORACLE('') |
+----------+-----------------+
| NULL     | NULL            |
+----------+-----------------+
```

## See Also

* [LTRIM](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/ltrim.md) - leading spaces removed
* [RTRIM](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/rtrim.md) - trailing spaces removed

<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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