---
title: ES|QL LEFT function
description: 
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/functions-operators/string-functions/left
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# ES|QL LEFT function
## Syntax

![Embedded](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/images/functions/left.svg)


## Parameters

<definitions>
  <definition term="string">
    The string from which to return a substring.
  </definition>
  <definition term="length">
    The number of characters to return.
  </definition>
</definitions>


## Description

Returns the substring that extracts *length* chars from *string* starting from the left.

## Supported types


| string  | length  | result  |
|---------|---------|---------|
| keyword | integer | keyword |
| text    | integer | keyword |


## Example

```esql
FROM employees
| KEEP last_name
| EVAL left = LEFT(last_name, 3)
```


| last_name:keyword | left:keyword |
|-------------------|--------------|
| Awdeh             | Awd          |
| Azuma             | Azu          |
| Baek              | Bae          |
| Bamford           | Bam          |
| Bernatsky         | Ber          |