Oracle LPAD function

Preamble

The Oracle/PLSQL LPAD function adds a certain set of characters from the left side of the string (at non-zero string1).

Syntax of Oracle/PLSQL LPAD function

LPAD( string1_id, padded_length_id, [ pad_string_id ] ) )

Parameters and function arguments

• string1_id – string for adding characters (on the left side).
• padded_length_id – number of characters to be added. If padded_length is smaller than the source line, the LPAD function will cut the line with padded_length.
• pad_string_id – it is not obligatory. It is a string that will be matched on the left side of string1. If this parameter is not specified, the LPAD function will add spaces to the left side of string1.

The LPAD function returns a string value.

LPAD function can be used in the following versions of Oracle/PLSQL

Let’s consider some examples of LPAD function and learn how to use LPAD function in Oracle/PLSQL.

SQL> SELECT LPAD('lpad', 7) FROM DUAL;

--Result: lpad

SQL> SELECT LPAD('lpad', 2) FROM DUAL;

--Result: lp

SQL> SELECT LPAD('lpad', 8, '0') FROM DUAL;

--Result: 0000lpad

SQL> SELECT LPAD('lpad function', 15, 'z') FROM DUAL;

--Result: zzlpad function

SQL> SELECT LPAD('lpad function', 16, 'z') FROM DUAL;

--Result: zzzlpad function

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