Splitting and joining text with LEFT, RIGHT and CONCAT
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which formula returns the first 3 characters of the text in cell A2?
2. Cell B2 holds the student code VCE2025. Which formula returns the last 4 characters (2025)?
3. Which formula joins the first name in A2 and the last name in B2 into one value with no space?
4. Which formula joins A2, a space and B2 to make a full name like Ava Nguyen?
5. True or false: LEFT, RIGHT and MID change the original cell, so the full text is lost.
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1=LEFT(A2,3) | AReturns the first 3 characters of the text in cell A2, such as the first 3 letters of a code. | |
| 2=A2&" "&B2 | B=RIGHT(C2,4) | |
| 3Take the last 4 characters of a value in cell C2, such as the last 4 digits of an ID | CThe cells A2 and B2 are not separated by a comma. It should be =CONCAT(A2,B2). | |
| 4Join a first name in A2 and a last name in B2 into one value with CONCAT, with a space between | DThe number of characters is outside the brackets. Arguments must be inside the brackets and separated by a comma, as in =LEFT(A2,3). | |
| 5=LEFT(A2)3 | EJoins the text in A2, a space and the text in B2 into one value, such as a full name. | |
| 6=CONCAT(A2 B2) | F=CONCAT(A2," ",B2) |
C
Definitions
=LEFT(A2,3)
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
=____(A2,3)
2.
=_____(A2,4)
3.
=A2_" "&B2
4.
=______(A2," ",B2)
5.
=CONCAT(LEFT(A2,3),"-",_____(A2,2))
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
=LEFT(A2 3)
B
=LEFT(A3,3)
C
=LEFT(A4,3)
Question 2
A
=A2&" "&B2
B
=A3&" "&B3
C
=A4&" "&B4
D
=A5+" "+B5
Question 3
A
=LEFT(A2,2)
B
=MID(A2,3,2)
C
=RIGHT(2,A2)
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)
Question 5
A
=RIGHT(A2,4)
B
=RIGHT(A3,-4)
C
=RIGHT(A4,4)
Answer Key
Splitting and joining text with LEFT, RIGHT and CONCAT
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
A — =LEFT(A2,3)
Q2
A — =RIGHT(B2,4)
Q3
B — =CONCAT(A2,B2)
Q4
A — =A2&" "&B2
Q5
B — False: they return a new value and leave the original cell unchanged
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
=LEFT(A2,3) → Returns the first 3 characters of the text in cell A2, such as the first 3 letters of a code.
Q2
=A2&" "&B2 → Joins the text in A2, a space and the text in B2 into one value, such as a full name.
Q3
Take the last 4 characters of a value in cell C2, such as the last 4 digits of an ID → =RIGHT(C2,4)
Q4
Join a first name in A2 and a last name in B2 into one value with CONCAT, with a space between → =CONCAT(A2," ",B2)
Q5
=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).
Q6
=CONCAT(A2 B2) → The cells A2 and B2 are not separated by a comma. It should be =CONCAT(A2,B2).
Section C: Definitions
Q1
=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.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
=LEFT(A2,3)Q2
=RIGHT(A2,4)Q3
=A2&" "&B2Q4
=CONCAT(A2," ",B2)Q5
=CONCAT(LEFT(A2,3),"-",RIGHT(A2,2))Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
A — The arguments of LEFT must be separated by a comma. It should be =LEFT(A2,3).
Q2
D — The + operator adds numbers and gives #VALUE! with text. Use & to join text: =A5&" "&B5.
Q3
C — The arguments are swapped. RIGHT takes the text first, then the number of characters: =RIGHT(A2,2).
Q4
D — The & operator is missing between the two LEFT results, so the formula is invalid. It should be =LEFT(A5,1)&LEFT(B5,1).
Q5
B — The number of characters cannot be negative. It gives #VALUE!. It should be =RIGHT(A3,4).