I don't recall Excel having a LEFT$() worksheet function, BUT it is used in
VBA.
Here's the differece (as I understand it)
LEFT(string, num_chars) returns a VARIANT.
But, in LEFT$(string, num_chars), the trailing dollar sign ($) declares the
return value to be a STRING.
It would make a difference if the 1st argument could be null.
Example:
In the immediate window of the VB Editor....
If you enter DEBUG.PRINT LEFT(NULL,3)
This is returned: NULL
But, if you enter DEBUG.PRINT LEFT$(NULL,3)
you get this error: "Invalid use of null",
because a STRING cannot be null.
Does that help?
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Regards,
Ron
XL2002, WinXP