UK's PostCodes

I am new in database coding and have few questions.

In addresses tables i have full PostCode, in crosstab reports I need see just first part from 3 or 4 characters of postcode.

Could you help me sort out that problem?

Sure.

In your crosstab queries, just use Left(postalcode, 3).

Select <field1>, <field2>, ..., Left(postalcode, 3) as shortCode, ...
From ....

Thanks dykebert it works .

This code is working, but first part of postcode can be 2,3 and 4 char. How to solve that.

I'm not familiar with your post codes is there something that delineates the first part from the rest? If it's consistent like a "-" you can use it like so.

Select <field1>, <field2>, ..., Left(postalcode, instr(postcode, "-") -1) as shortCode, ...
From ....

If it's not consistent is there a small set of possible delineators?

PostCodes in UK looks like LLNS3LL
L - letter
N-number
S space
N2 4NK or NN2 4NK, NW2B 5GH

the code is exactly what I need.

Thanks again