# TRIM\_LEFT ### Description TRIM removes whitespace (like " ") from the beginning of a string. Optionally, you can also provide a second argument of the characters you would like to remove. If you only want to remove characters from the left and right, consider using [`TRIM`](/rule-language/operators/string-operators/trim.md). ### Example ``` TRIM_LEFT(' And so it begins ') ``` This will remove the spaces before the text, leaving `'And so it begins '` behind. ### Example with custom character ``` TRIM_LEFT('004921574699', '0') ``` This will remove the zeros before the phone number, only leaving `4921574699` behind. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.atfinity.io/rule-language/operators/string-operators/trim_left.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.