Removes leading and trailing blanks from a string.

Syntax

LTRIM( string-expression )

Parameters

Returns

VARCHAR

NVARCHAR

LONG VARCHAR

LONG NVARCHAR

Remarks

The actual length of the result is the length of the expression minus the number of characters removed. If all the characters are removed, the result is an empty string.

If the parameter can be null, the result can be null.

If the parameter is null, the result is the null value.

This function supports NCHAR inputs and/or outputs.

See also

• RTRIM function [String]
• TRIM function [String]
• String functions

Standards and compatibility

Example

The following statement returns the value Test Message with all leading blanks removed.

SELECT LTRIM( '     Test Message' );