How to Trim All Data on the Left Side of the Value

You can trim data to fit the field size you need.

When you build a database or similar file, you do not necessarily have to enter all the information from scratch. If the data you want to use already exists in an electronic format, you can convert that existing file to a universal text format, then import it to create your database table. However, in some cases you will need to tweak the data by trimming everything to the left of a particular value in the field.

Instructions

1. Log on to your computer and open a database program. Go to the queries section and choose the option to create a new query in design view.

2. Double click the table on which you want to base your query. Double click each of the fields you want to include in the database. Be sure to include the field you want to trim in your database query.

3. Move teh cursor to the first empty field to the right of the existing fields in the query. In the field box type "NewField:LTrim([FieldName])" where "NewField" is the name you give to your calculated field and "FieldName" is the name of the field you want to trim. For example, to create a field containing the left trimmed version of a field called "FirstName" you would type "Trimmed:LTrim([FirstName])."

4. Click "Save" to save the changes to your query. Double click the query to see the results.