Removes the longest string containing only characters in <trim_characters> from the left side of the source string <expression>. If no <trim_characters> parameter is specified, the longest string containing only whitespace characters (ASCII Decimal 32) is removed from the left side of the specified source string <expression>.

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Syntax

LTRIM(<expression>[, <trim_characters>])

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Parameters

ParameterDescriptionSupported input types
<expression>An expression that returns the string to be trimmed.TEXT
<trim_characters>Optional. An expression that returns characters to trim from the left side of the <expression> string. If omitted, whitespace (ASCII Decimal 32) is trimmed.TEXT

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Return Type

TEXT

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Examples

The following example trims the character x from the left side of a string:

SELECT
  LTRIM('xxThe Acceleration Cupxxx', 'x')

Returns:

'The Acceleration Cupxxx'

The following example trims the characters x and y from the left side of a string. Note that the ordering of characters in <trim_characters> is irrelevant:

SELECT
  LTRIM('xyxyThe Acceleration Cupyyxx', 'xy');

Returns:

'The Acceleration Cupyyxx'

The following example omits the <trim_characters> parameter, and thus trims whitespace from the left side of a string:

SELECT
  LTRIM('   The Acceleration Cup     ');

Returns:

'The Acceleration Cup     '