## Syntax
```mermaid
%%{init: {
'theme': 'base',
'flowchart': { 'padding': '7', 'nodeSpacing': '20', 'rankSpacing': '20' },
'themeVariables': {
'fontSize': '11px',
'fontFamily': 'Arial'
}
}}%%
flowchart LR
Start((START)) --> LTRIM[LTRIM]:::quoted
ltrim -->| | LTRIM
LTRIM --> End((END))
```
## Purpose
The `LTRIM` SQL function trims characters from the left side of a string.
Parameters:
- Input: the string from to trim characters from the left side.
- (Optional) Characters to trim: all character(s) to trim. Default is " ".
Returns: A string with characters trimmed from the left.