Referencing only first 4 numbers in alpha-numeric cell

[Subject_Name_Here]

Hi all,

The item numbers my company uses to identify a certain product has changed from being alpha-numeric to only numeric. For example, we use to call a product 5700A31DP and now it is simply 5700. Thousands of these alpha-numeric codes are listed in excel and I don't have time to go through them all manually. Is there a way that I can transform 5700A31DP to 5700?

Basically, I need f(5700A31DP)=5700, where f is a function in excel.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Paul]

Hi Subject,

Try using the LEFT function. If your string "5700A31DP" is in A1, use

=LEFT(A1,4)

[Subject_Name_Here]

Perfect. You just saved me hours of work.
Thanks.