> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/left.md).

# LEFT

## Syntax

```bnf
LEFT(str,len)
```

## Description

Returns the leftmost `len` characters from the string `str`, or `NULL` if any argument is `NULL`.

## Examples

```sql
SELECT LEFT('MariaDB', 5);
+--------------------+
| LEFT('MariaDB', 5) |
+--------------------+
| Maria              |
+--------------------+
```

<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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