I think the maximum is two letters at the beginning of a postcode, so
you could do this:

=IF(AND(MID(A1,2,1)="0",MID(A1,2,1)<="9"),LEFT(A1 ,1),LEFT(A1,2))

assuming the postcode is in A1.

Hope this helps.

Pete


On Apr 7, 7:19*pm, chriso wrote:
Hi
I have a data sheet and need to get just the area from a post code e.g BS1
1JN I need just the BS in a column. *I would use left,2 etc but problem is
some codes such as Birmingham only have 1 letter.

Any ideas please.
Thanks
Chris