Oracle / PLSQL: TRIM Function

This Oracle tutorial explains how to use the Oracle/PLSQL TRIM function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Oracle/PLSQL TRIM function removes all specified characters either from the beginning or the end of a string.

Syntax

The syntax for the TRIM function in Oracle/PLSQL is:

TRIM( [ [ LEADING | TRAILING | BOTH ] trim_character FROM ] string1 )

Parameters or Arguments

LEADING

The function will remove trim_character from the front of string1.

TRAILING

The function will remove trim_character from the end of string1.

BOTH

The function will remove trim_character from the front and end of string1.

trim_character

The character that will be removed from string1. If this parameter is omitted, the TRIM function will remove space characters from string1.

string1

The string to trim.

Returns

The TRIM function returns a string value.

Note

• If you do not choose a value for the first parameter (LEADING, TRAILING, BOTH), the TRIM function will remove trim_character from both the front and end of string1.
• See also the LTRIM and RTRIM functions.

Applies To

The TRIM function can be used in the following versions of Oracle/PLSQL:

• Oracle 12c, Oracle 11g, Oracle 10g, Oracle 9i, Oracle 8i

Example

Let's look at some Oracle TRIM function examples and explore how to use the TRIM function in Oracle/PLSQL.

For example:

TRIM(' aodb ')
Output: 'aodb'

TRIM(' ' FROM ' aodb ')
Output: 'aodb'

TRIM(LEADING '0' FROM '000123')
Output: '123'

TRIM(TRAILING '1' FROM 'Aodb1')
Output: 'Aodb'

TRIM(BOTH '1' FROM '123Aodb111')
Output: '23Aodb'