Undefined function 'left' in expression (Windows 10/Access 2016)

Question

Hi All,

I just had Windows 10 installed and am now having a problem using the "left" function in an access query. My syntax is fine and has worked in the past, but is not working now.  Message:  Undefined function 'left' in expression

I saw a similar problem posted elsewhere and the resolution was to download web services from Microsoft.  I followed the link mentioned and downloaded it, but it was only for Access 2003, so it did not help me.

Anyone know the fix to this problem? 

 

Answer 1

Hi,

Installing a new OS probably means reinstalling Office as well. Typically, when you get an error for using built-in function like Date(), there is a broken reference in the database.

Go to the VBA window and click on Tools > References and look any reference marked as "MISSING." If you find any and don't need it, simply uncheck the box to fix the problem. Otherwise, you will have to reinstall the missing library.

Hope it helps...

Answer 2

Hello,

I agree with theDBguy. Please check if there is missing reference in this database. You could also try to create a new database to confirm whether the Left function would work.

According to this similar thread:Undefined function "left" in expression, you could also try to uncheck the reference: Utility.mda

Regards,

Celeste

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Answer 3

One thing I found recently is that if a function is in more than one reference Access 2016 is not very good at resolving it.

I got an error using the Left function and I finally found that because I had two references with a Left function Access threw an error that it was undefined. Once I removed one of the references the error went away.  That of course is not helpful when you need both references. 

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Brad C. Parris Sr. IT Manager Custom Solutions

Answer 4

One thing I found recently is that if a function is in more than one reference Access 2016 is not very good at resolving it.

I got an error using the Left function and I finally found that because I had two references with a Left function Access threw an error that it was undefined. Once I removed one of the references the error went away.  That of course is not helpful when you need both references. 

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Brad C. Parris Sr. IT Manager Custom Solutions

Hi Brad,

If you need both references, then simply fully qualify your function call. For example:

VBA.Left([FieldName],10)

Hope it helps...

Answer 5

Thank you so much! This solved my problem!