The trailing $ is a type declaration character for the String data type in
VBA.
The result returned from Left$() is a string, whereas Left() returns a
Variant.
You must use Left(), not Left$() if there is any chance of Null values,
since the Variant can be Null but the String cannot. To demonstrate that:
1. Press Ctrl+G to open the Immedate window.
2. Enter:
? Left(Null,1)
The answer is Null.
3. Now enter:
? Left$(Null,1)
This generates Error 94. Since the result should be Null, and the String
cannot be Null, you receive the error, "Invalid use of Null".
If you are dealing with string values, in VBA code, Left$() will be slightly
more efficient, as it avoids the overhead/inefficieny associated with the
Variant. However, if there is *any* chance that Nulls may be involved, use
Left(), or else explicitly handle the Null with something such as Nz().
More information on Nulls:
http://allenbrowne.com/casu-11.html
--
Allen Browne - Microsoft MVP. Perth, Western Australia.
Tips for Access users -
http://allenbrowne.com/tips.html
Reply to group, rather than allenbrowne at mvps dot org.
"Nathan Given" <ngiven@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:f749d926.0405040739.6ec5eedb@posting.google.c om...[color=blue]
> Hello All,
>
> I am trying to debug a broken query. The query uses
> Left$([blahblah],4) instead of Left([blahblah],4).
>
> What is the difference between the Left() and Left$() functions in
> Microsoft Access?
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Nathan
>
> Keywords: MS Microsoft Access Functions Function Left Left$ Left()
> Left$() Query[/color]
Difference between Left() and Left$() function 
