← VCE Data Analytics U3O1

Splitting and joining text with LEFT, RIGHT and CONCAT

Text functions split text or join it. LEFT, RIGHT and MID take part of a value; CONCAT or & joins parts into one. This formula returns the first 3 characters of cell A2.

Part of: VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 78, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Digital Footprints and Data Minimisation — Module 43, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 103

Understanding Splitting and joining text with LEFT, RIGHT and CONCAT in VCE Data Analytics U3O1

What it does: RIGHT takes characters from the end of a text value. The number 4 is how many characters to take. CONCAT joins each item in order. The " " in the middle is the space between the first name and the last name. The & operator joins text. The + operator is for numbers and gives a #VALUE! error with text. Text functions only return a result in the cell holding the formula. The original data stays as it was. LEFT(A2,3) returns the first 3 characters, which are Sci. The last 3 characters, nce, would need RIGHT(A2,3).

Common mistakes: The arguments of LEFT must be separated by a comma. It should be =LEFT(A2,3). The + operator adds numbers and gives #VALUE! with text. Use & to join text: =A5&" "&B5.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 50–91) and word search (Modules 17–91).

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Learning
Duo
Which formula returns the first 3 characters of the text in cell A2?
=LEFT(A2,3)=RIGHT(A2,3)
Matches
=LEFT(A2)3
↓
The number of characters is outside the brackets. Arguments must be inside the brackets and separated by a comma, as in =LEFT(A2,3).
Applying
Meanings
Term
=LEFT(A2,3)
Meaning
Text functions split text or join it. LEFT, RIGHT and MID take part of a value; CONCAT or & joins parts into one. This formula returns the first 3 characters of cell A2.
Practice
=LEFT(A2,3)&"-"&RIGHT(B2,3)
Testing
Gaps
=(A2,3)
Check Answer
Spots
1=LEFT(A2 3)
2=LEFT(A3,3)

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Quick Questions

1. Which formula returns the first 3 characters of the text in cell A2?
A. =LEFT(A2,3) ✓
B. =RIGHT(A2,3)
LEFT takes characters from the start of the text. RIGHT takes them from the end.
2. Cell B2 holds the student code VCE2025. Which formula returns the last 4 characters (2025)?
A. =RIGHT(B2,4) ✓
B. =LEFT(B2,4)
RIGHT(B2,4) counts 4 characters back from the end of the text. LEFT(B2,4) would return VCE2.
3. Which formula joins the first name in A2 and the last name in B2 into one value with no space?
A. =LEFT(A2,B2)
B. =CONCAT(A2,B2) ✓
CONCAT joins text from several cells into one value. LEFT only takes part of a single value.
4. Which formula joins A2, a space and B2 to make a full name like Ava Nguyen?
A. =A2&" "&B2 ✓
B. =A2+" "+B2
The & operator joins text. The + operator is for numbers and gives a #VALUE! error with text.
5. True or false: LEFT, RIGHT and MID change the original cell, so the full text is lost.
A. True: they delete the characters they do not return
B. False: they return a new value and leave the original cell unchanged ✓
Text functions only return a result in the cell holding the formula. The original data stays as it was.

Match the Pairs

=LEFT(A2,3) → Returns the first 3 characters of the text in cell A2, such as the first 3 letters of a code.
=A2&" "&B2 → Joins the text in A2, a space and the text in B2 into one value, such as a full name.
Take the last 4 characters of a value in cell C2, such as the last 4 digits of an ID → =RIGHT(C2,4)
Join a first name in A2 and a last name in B2 into one value with CONCAT, with a space between → =CONCAT(A2," ",B2)
=LEFT(A2)3 → The number of characters is outside the brackets. Arguments must be inside the brackets and separated by a comma, as in =LEFT(A2,3).
=CONCAT(A2 B2) → The cells A2 and B2 are not separated by a comma. It should be =CONCAT(A2,B2).

Key Term

=LEFT(A2,3)
Text functions split text or join it. LEFT, RIGHT and MID take part of a value; CONCAT or & joins parts into one. This formula returns the first 3 characters of cell A2.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =LEFT(A2,3)
Hint: Type the function that returns characters from the start of a text value.
2. =RIGHT(A2,4)
Hint: Type the function that returns characters from the end of a text value.
3. =A2&" "&B2
Hint: Type the operator that joins pieces of text together.
4. =CONCAT(A2," ",B2)
Hint: Type the function name that joins several values into one text value.
5. =CONCAT(LEFT(A2,3),"-",RIGHT(A2,2))
Hint: Type the function that takes the last characters, so they can be joined to the first part.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A =LEFT(A2 3)
B =LEFT(A3,3)
C =LEFT(A4,3)
Line A — The arguments of LEFT must be separated by a comma. It should be =LEFT(A2,3).
Question 2
A =A2&" "&B2
B =A3&" "&B3
C =A4&" "&B4
D =A5+" "+B5
Line D — The + operator adds numbers and gives #VALUE! with text. Use & to join text: =A5&" "&B5.
Question 3
A =LEFT(A2,2)
B =MID(A2,3,2)
C =RIGHT(2,A2)
Line C — The arguments are swapped. RIGHT takes the text first, then the number of characters: =RIGHT(A2,2).
Question 4
A =LEFT(A2,1)&LEFT(B2,1)
B =LEFT(A3,1)&LEFT(B3,1)
C =LEFT(A4,1)&LEFT(B4,1)
D =LEFT(A5,1)LEFT(B5,1)
Line D — The & operator is missing between the two LEFT results, so the formula is invalid. It should be =LEFT(A5,1)&LEFT(B5,1).
Question 5
A =RIGHT(A2,4)
B =RIGHT(A3,-4)
C =RIGHT(A4,4)
Line B — The number of characters cannot be negative. It gives #VALUE!. It should be =RIGHT(A3,4).

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