How to truncate a string to a specific length if it is longer?

Question

How can I make it that I can reduce the length of a String? Like for example the string.Length() = 300.

My goal is to make it to 120 characters, retaining the left side (e.g. NameOfThePerson to NameofThePers).

string sizeString = 'Imagine this is more than 120 Characters';
if(sizeString.Length() > 120){
    //insert logic here to make it 120 characters
}

Answer 1

Use substring method of String class

Returns a new String that begins with the character at the specified zero-based startIndex and extends to the character at endIndex - 1.

String sizeString = 'Let\'s Imagine this is more than 120 Characters';
Integer maxSize = 120;
if(sizeString.length() > maxSize ){
    sizeString = sizeString.substring(0, maxSize);
}

Answer 2

As an indicator to the user that the string has been shortened, also adding '...' to the end can be helpful.

There is a String method that does that:

String newString = sizeString.abbreviate(120);

This example from the help illustrates how the length of the '...' is also considered:

String s = 'Hello Maximillian';
String s2 = s.abbreviate(8);
System.assertEquals('Hello...', s2);
System.assertEquals(8, s2.length());

Answer 3

Another way to do this, especially addressing the specific question,

My goal is to make it to 120 characters, retaining the left side

Use the left(length) method from the String class

and here's a usage example:

String s1 = 'abcdaacd';
String s2 = 
s1.left(3);
System.assertEquals('abc', s2);

and for your example would be,

string sizeString = 'Imagine this is more than 120 Characters';
string resizedString = '';
if(sizeString.Length() > 120){
    resizedString = sizeString.left(120);
}

Answer 4

If you don't want an ellipsis character, use a quick regular expression to match only the first 80 (or whatever number) characters, and replace the string with just those.

// no ellipsis, 120 characters per OP question
yourString.replaceFirst('^(.{120}).*', '$1')
// ellipsis, 120 characters per OP question
yourString.replaceFirst('^(.{117}).*', '$1...')

Answer 5

I use this expression to assign a limited number of characters from the rawNoteTitle to a noteTitle variable for use in an accordion control label:

noteTitle = (rawNoteTitle.length() < 80) ? rawNoteTitle : rawNoteTitle.left(80) + '...';

If the rawNoteTitle is less than 80 characters, then use the rawNoteTitle. Otherwise use the first 80 characters of the rawNoteTitle and add ... to indicate the title was truncated. Of course, you can use a variable parameterize the truncated length.

The selected correct answer above is ok, but it assigns the string variable twice, and uses a less obvious method of truncating the string. It's harder to look at.

The Salesforce explanation of the Ternary operator ?: is here:

https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/langCon_apex_expressions_operators_understanding.htm

Answer 6

If you want to keep it under 15 characters

name.substring(0, Integer.min(15, name.length()))

Answer 7

Could you not just use the 'left' function.

String longString = 'Imagine this is more than 120 Characters...';
String shortString = longString.left(120);

From Apex Reference Guide - 'If length is greater than the String size, the entire String is returned.' apex_System_String_left