Looker Studio Function : LENGTH
LENGTH Function in Looker Studio – Practical Guide with Examples
Category: Text Function
The LENGTH function in Looker Studio is a text function used to calculate the number of characters present in a text value. It returns a numeric result representing the total length of the text, including spaces and special characters. This function becomes very useful when validating data quality, cleaning text fields, or applying conditional logic based on text length.
In real dashboard scenarios, we often deal with fields like phone numbers, order IDs, email addresses, remarks, or product codes. Using LENGTH, we can quickly identify whether these values meet expected formats. For example, checking whether a mobile number has exactly 10 digits or whether a product code is incomplete.
From a practical BI point of view, LENGTH is often combined with IF, CASE, or filtering logic to flag incorrect or inconsistent data. Instead of correcting issues at the source, analysts can apply quick validations directly in Looker Studio. Since the function works at row level, it performs efficiently even with large datasets.
Overall, LENGTH is a simple but essential function that helps improve data accuracy and dashboard reliability.
Purpose of LENGTH Function
1. Text Validation
Used to validate whether text values meet expected character length.
2. Data Quality Checks
Helps identify missing, incomplete, or incorrect text data.
3. Conditional Logic Support
Works with IF and CASE statements for rule-based decisions.
4. Formatting Control
Ensures consistency in text fields like IDs or codes.
Type of Calculation & Practical Use Cases
1. Numeric Calculation
LENGTH returns a numeric value representing character count.
2. Calculated Fields
Used in calculated dimensions or metrics for validation logic.
3. Data Cleaning
Helps filter or flag records with incorrect text length.
4. Reporting Accuracy
Improves confidence in dashboards by validating inputs.
LENGTH(text)
LENGTH Function – Parameters Table
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| text | Text | The text value whose length needs to be calculated |
How Does the LENGTH Function Work?
The LENGTH function counts each character in the given text value, starting from the first character to the last. It includes spaces, numbers, and special characters in the count. The result is returned as a number.
For example, the text “Data Studio” has a length of 11 because the space between the words is also counted. The function evaluates each row individually, which makes it reliable for large datasets. If the text value is NULL, the function may return NULL, so handling such cases is recommended for accurate reporting.
When Should You Use LENGTH Function?
When validating phone numbers or IDs
When checking completeness of text fields
When applying conditional formatting rules
When filtering incorrect or invalid records
When performing data quality checks inside Looker Studio
Examples of LENGTH Function
Example 1: Validate Mobile Number Length
LENGTH(Mobile_Number)
Expected output: 10
Example 2: Check Product Code Length
LENGTH(Product_Code)
Used to identify incomplete product codes.
Example 3: Use with IF Condition
IF(LENGTH(Email_ID) < 5, "Invalid Email", "Valid Email")
Tips & Best Practices
Always consider spaces and special characters
Combine LENGTH with IF or CASE for validation
Clean text before applying length checks
Test logic using tables before applying filters
Avoid over-complex conditions for better readability
Yes, spaces are included in the character count.
No, case does not affect character count.
Numbers must be converted to text before using LENGTH.
The function may return NULL.
It returns a number and is used in calculated fields.