> 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/ltrim.md).

# LTRIM

## Syntax

```bnf
LTRIM(str)
```

## Description

Returns the string `str` with leading space characters 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`.

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

## Examples

```sql
SELECT QUOTE(LTRIM('   MariaDB   '));
+-------------------------------+
| QUOTE(LTRIM('   MariaDB   ')) |
+-------------------------------+
| 'MariaDB   '                  |
+-------------------------------+
```

Oracle mode version:

```sql
SELECT LTRIM(''),LTRIM_ORACLE('');
+-----------+------------------+
| LTRIM('') | LTRIM_ORACLE('') |
+-----------+------------------+
|           | NULL             |
+-----------+------------------+
```

## See Also

* [RTRIM](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/rtrim.md) - trailing spaces removed
* [TRIM](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/trim.md) - removes all given prefixes or suffixes

<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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