---
schema_version: "1"
id: 9b87288bc42b1ca7af9f0fd4b3c89f4fdd9f27801e8d4844c26552e438f3f249
title: BEGINS
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/customize_functions_begins.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions_begins.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 03b4f3cd55003e9bfc68cfe9ac91bcf0ec931abf21fa68b0c327bb1b41783b44
description: Determines if text begins with specific characters and returns TRUE if it does. Returns FALSE if it doesn't.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# BEGINS

Determines if text begins with specific characters and returns TRUE if it does. Returns FALSE if it doesn't.

## Use

`BEGINS(text, compare_text)` and replace text, compare\_text with the characters or fields you want to compare.

## Tips

- This function is case-sensitive so be sure your compare\_text value has the correct capitalization.
- When using this function in a validation rule or workflow rule, fields that are blank are considered valid. For example, if you have a validation rule that tests to see if the serial number of an asset begins with “3,” all assets that have a blank serial number are considered valid.

![Generic Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_example.png)

Generic Example

`IF(BEGINS (Product_type__c, "ICU"), "Medical", "Technical")`

This example returns the text Medical if the text in any Product Type custom text field begins with ICU. For all other products, it displays Technical.