What does the Left function return?

The Left function in Qlik Sense is designed to extract a specified number of characters from the beginning of a given string. This function takes two parameters: the string you wish to extract from and the number of characters you want to return. For example, if you have the string "Qlik Sense" and you use the Left function to retrieve 4 characters, it would return "Qlik". This functionality is particularly useful when you need to analyze or manipulate textual data by taking into consideration the initial part of strings.

In contrast, alternatives would involve different operations that do not align with the purpose of the Left function. Extracting characters from the right, retrieving substrings from the middle, or replacing strings with a new value are all distinct operations that fall under different string manipulation functions. Understanding the specific role of the Left function clarifies why it is accurate to state that it returns specified characters from the left side of the string.