Oracle SQL: the Essential Reference

LTRIM

LTRIM(string1 [,string2])

Removes specific characters from the left side of a string.

Parameters

string1

Specifies the string from which you want leading characters removed.

string2

Specifies a string containing the set of characters to remove. This parameter defaults to a single space. Trimming stops when the function encounters a character not present in this string.

Examples

SQL> SELECT LTRIM('   The default is to trim leading spaces.')
						  2  FROM dual;

LTRIM('THEDEFAULTISTOTRIMLEADINGSPACES
--------------------------------------
The default is to trim leading spaces.

SQL> SELECT LTRIM('***You can trim other characters as well.','*')
  2  FROM dual;

LTRIM('***YOUCANTRIMOTHERCHARACTERSASW
--------------------------------------
You can trim other characters as well.

SQL> SELECT LTRIM('**@@*@You can even trim multiple characters.','*@')
  2  FROM dual;

LTRIM('**@@*@YOUCANEVENTRIMMULTIPLECHA
--------------------------------------
You can even trim multiple characters.