MS SQL to remove text from a string

[pgoodson]

ACCESS sql question: I have different length data in a field and I want to remove all the data in the string that is to the right of the '-' a dash. I can find the len of the string and I can find the position of the '-', but cannot seem to complete the syntax for the complete use

ex: 32A23-001 or 24A-002 or 312-01
I want to retreive the data before the dash only.

[Seth Schrock]

If you are wanting the text that is to the right of the first '-', then you would use the Mid() function and set the starting point as the position of the '-' using the InStr() function. You might have to play with +/- 1 to get the exact starting location, but that is simple to play with.

[pgoodson]

Seth, my example really is showing I want the chars to the left of the dash, not to the right and I am not getting the syntax with using mid/instr/len tying them all together.

[pgoodson]

Here is what my ms access sql looks like right now and I am not getting the chars to the left of the dash:
mid([LED data from RDR-rev2].LGEY_ISGT_STAL N_CD,InStr([LED data from RDR-rev2].[LGEY_ISGT_STALN _CD],"-"),len([LED data from RDR-rev2].LGEY_ISGT_STAL N_CD) - instr([LED data from RDR-rev2].[LGEY_ISGT_STALN _CD],"-")) as Left_DashPos

[pgoodson]

Seth,
With trial and error I finally got it using left/instr below, so thank you for reply so quickly!:
left([LED data from RDR-rev2].LGEY_ISGT_STAL N_CD,InStr([LED data from RDR-rev2].[LGEY_ISGT_STALN _CD],"-")-1) as Left_DashPos

[Seth Schrock]

Sorry, after re-reading your OP, I'm not sure why I thought it said "remove text to the LEFT" when it clearly says right. My bad. Glad you found the solution anyway.