LEFT, RIGHT, MID in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

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What does the LEFT function do in Google Sheets?

The LEFT function extracts a specified number of characters from the start (left side) of a text string.

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How do you use the RIGHT function?

RIGHT(text, number) extracts a specified number of characters from the end (right side) of the text string.

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Explain the MID function in simple terms.

MID(text, start_position, number_of_characters) extracts characters from the middle of a text string, starting at the position you choose.

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Example: What is the result of =LEFT("Banana", 3)?

The result is "Ban" because it takes the first 3 letters from the left of "Banana".

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Example: What does =MID("Spreadsheet", 6, 4) return?

It returns "dshe" because it starts at the 6th character and takes 4 characters from "Spreadsheet".

What does =RIGHT("Hello", 2) return?

A "He"

B "ll"

C "lo"

D "el"

RIGHT("Hello", 2) takes the last 2 characters from "Hello", which are "lo".

Which function extracts characters from the middle of a text string?

A MID

B RIGHT

C LEFT

D LEN

MID extracts characters starting at any position inside the text.

What will =LEFT("Google", 0) return?

A "G"

B "Google"

C Error

D "" (empty string)

LEFT with 0 characters returns an empty string.

If you want the last 4 letters of "Spreadsheet", which formula do you use?

A =LEFT("Spreadsheet", 4)

B =RIGHT("Spreadsheet", 4)

C =MID("Spreadsheet", 4, 4)

D =MID("Spreadsheet", 8, 4)

RIGHT("Spreadsheet", 4) returns the last 4 letters.

What does =MID("Example", 3, 2) return?

A "mp"

B "le"

C "Ex"

D "am"

MID starts at the 3rd character and takes 2 characters: "mp".

Describe how you would extract the first 5 characters from a text string in Google Sheets.

Think about taking characters from the start of the text.

Explain the difference between LEFT, RIGHT, and MID functions.

Consider where in the text each function takes characters.

Practice

1. Which function would you use in Google Sheets to get the first 3 letters from the word "Banana"?

easy

A. RIGHT("Banana", 3)

B. LEFT("Banana", 3)

C. MID("Banana", 2, 3)

D. MID("Banana", 3, 3)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function purpose

   The LEFT function extracts characters from the start of the text.

2. Step 2: Apply the function to the word

   LEFT("Banana", 3) returns the first 3 letters: "Ban".

3. Final Answer:

   LEFT("Banana", 3) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   LEFT = first letters [OK]

Hint: LEFT gets letters from start, RIGHT from end [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing LEFT with RIGHT function
• Using MID without correct start position
• Assuming MID always starts at 1

2. Which of these formulas correctly extracts the last 4 characters from the text "Spreadsheet"?

easy

A. RIGHT("Spreadsheet", 4)

B. LEFT("Spreadsheet", 4)

C. MID("Spreadsheet", 4, 4)

D. RIGHT("Spreadsheet", 5)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the function for last characters

   The RIGHT function extracts characters from the end of the text.

2. Step 2: Apply the function with correct number

   RIGHT("Spreadsheet", 4) returns the last 4 letters: "eet".

3. Final Answer:

   RIGHT("Spreadsheet", 4) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   RIGHT = last letters [OK]

Hint: RIGHT extracts from end; count how many letters you want [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using LEFT instead of RIGHT for last letters
• Choosing wrong number of characters
• Confusing MID start position with length

3. What is the result of the formula =MID("Adventure", 3, 4) in Google Sheets?

medium

A. "Adve"

B. "entu"

C. "dven"

D. "vent"

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand MID parameters

   MID(text, start, length) extracts length characters starting at position start.

2. Step 2: Apply to "Adventure"

   Starting at position 3: A(1), d(2), v(3), e(4), n(5), t(6), u(7), r(8), e(9). Extract 4 letters: v, e, n, t.

3. Final Answer:

   "vent" -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   MID("Adventure",3,4) = "vent" [OK]

Hint: Count start position carefully, then take length letters [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Starting count at 0 instead of 1
• Mixing up start position and length
• Assuming MID extracts from start or end

4. The formula =MID("Calculator", 0, 3) is used in a cell. What is the correct fix to get the first 3 letters?

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A. =MID("Calculator", 1, 3)

B. =LEFT("Calculator", 4)

C. =RIGHT("Calculator", 3)

D. =MID("Calculator", 3, 3)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the error in MID start position

   MID start position must be 1 or more; 0 is invalid and causes error.

2. Step 2: Correct the start position to 1

   Changing to MID("Calculator", 1, 3) extracts first 3 letters: "Cal".

3. Final Answer:

   =MID("Calculator", 1, 3) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   MID start must be ≥1 [OK]

Hint: MID start position must be 1 or more, never zero [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 0 as start position in MID
• Using RIGHT or LEFT when MID is intended
• Changing length instead of start position

5. You have a list of product codes like "AB12345XYZ". You want to extract the middle 5 digits (positions 3 to 7). Which formula correctly extracts these digits?

hard

A. =RIGHT(A1, 5)

B. =LEFT(A1, 5)

C. =MID(A1, 3, 5)

D. =MID(A1, 5, 3)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the start position and length

   The digits start at position 3 and span 5 characters (positions 3,4,5,6,7).

2. Step 2: Use MID with correct parameters

   =MID(A1, 3, 5) extracts 5 characters starting at position 3, which are the digits.

3. Final Answer:

   =MID(A1, 3, 5) -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   MID extracts middle characters by start and length [OK]

Hint: MID(text, start, length) extracts middle part exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using LEFT or RIGHT instead of MID for middle extraction
• Wrong start position or length values
• Assuming digits are always at start or end