=LEFT(A1,5)

Will return the first 5 characters from cell A1.

However, if you want to get a sum based on the first 5 characters you really
don't need to use a helper column.

ABCDE Ltd...50
ABCDE co....10
ABCDE inc....20
ABCDE ltee...10

Try one of these:

=SUMIF(A1:A10,"*abcde*",B1:B10)

Or

=SUMPRODUCT(--(LEFT(A1:A10,5)="abcde"),B1:B10)


--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Mat" wrote in message
...
Dear mate,

I have 6000 client names and some are duplicates. I need to copy just the
first 5 letters of each client from the cell and place in the next cell.
This
will help me to sum up all the ABCDE revenue as they are all same client
with
different names with the first 5 letters are common.
Hope I was able to explain my issue,

For example

ABCDE Ltd
ABCDE co.
ABCDE inc
ABCDE ltee

Regards
Mat