Returns the first length characters in string counting from the beginning of the string. Counting starts from 1 (not 0).
Always counts in the natural direction of the advertiser’s locale. For example, if the advertiser’s language is English, this function counts from left to right.
This function can be used only in inventory templates in manual campaigns. Templates in upgraded inventory management use a different set of functions.
Syntax
LEFT(string, length)
Specify the function name in upper case: LEFT
Parameters
- string: An inventory attribute such as
BRAND
, or a static string surrounded by quotes such as "Shoes".
Specify standard attributes in upper case; use the Search Ads 360 UI for guidance on specifying custom attributes. - length can be any of the following:
- 0 (zero)
- A positive integer, such as 5.
- An expression or inventory function that returns a positive number.
Examples
-
LEFT(BRAND, 5)
returns the first 5 characters of the brand name as retrieved from the inventory feed. -
LEFT("Hello World!", 0)
returns "" (empty string). -
LEFT("Hello World!", -1)
is an error. Negative numbers are not valid. -
LEFT(right("Hello World!", 6), 5)
returns World.