Returns a Variant (String) containing a copy of a specified string without leading spaces (LTrim), trailing spaces (RTrim), or both leading and trailing spaces (Trim).

Syntax

LTrim ( string )

RTrim ( string )

Trim( string )

The required stringargument is any valid string expression. If string contains Null, Null is returned.

Query examples

Expression

Results

SELECT LTrim(ProductDesc) AS Expr1 FROM ProductSales;

Returns the string values from the field "ProductDesc" without the leading spaces and displays in the column Expr1.

SELECT RTrim(ProductDesc) AS Expr1 FROM ProductSales;

Returns the string values from the field "ProductDesc" without the trailing spaces and displays in the column Expr1.

SELECT LTrim(ProductDesc) AS NoTrailingSpace FROM ProductSales;

Returns the string values from the field "ProductDesc" without the leading spaces and displays in the column "NoTrailingSpace".

SELECT RTrim(ProductDesc) AS NoLeadingSpace FROM ProductSales;

Returns the string values from the field "ProductDesc" without the trailing spaces and displays in the column "NoLeadingSpaces".

SELECT Trim(ProductDesc) AS Trimmed FROM ProductSales;

Returns the string values from the field "ProductDesc" without the leading and trailing spaces and displays in the column "Trimmed".

VBA example

Note: Examples that follow demonstrate the use of this function in a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) module. For more information about working with VBA, select Developer Reference in the drop-down list next to Search and enter one or more terms in the search box.

This example uses the LTrim function to strip leading spaces and the RTrim function to strip trailing spaces from a string variable. It uses the Trim function to strip both types of spaces.

Dim MyString, TrimStringMyString = "  <-Trim->  "    ' Initialize string.TrimString = LTrim(MyString) ' TrimString = "<-Trim->  ".TrimString = RTrim(MyString)' TrimString = "  <-Trim->".TrimString = LTrim(RTrim(MyString)) ' TrimString = "<-Trim->".' Using the Trim function alone' achieves the same result.TrimString = Trim(MyString) ' TrimString = "<-Trim->".

String functions and how to use them

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.