# starts_with()

Returns `true` if the string starts with the specified characters.

## Syntax

`starts_with(string, prefix)`

## Usage

Returns `true` if *string* starts with *prefix*, otherwise returns `false`. String comparison is case-sensitive. If any of the parameters are `null`, then the function returns `null`. If *prefix* is an empty string, then the function returns `null`.

## Example

Suppose that you want to count the opportunities where the owner role starts with "Sales". Use `starts_with()` in a `case` statement.

```nolang
q = load "DTC_Opportunity";

-- Select rows where the owner roles starts with "Sales"
q = foreach q generate count() as 'count', (case
 when starts_with('Owner_Role', "Sales") then 'Owner_Role'
end) as 'Owner_Role';

q = group q by 'Owner_Role';
q = foreach q generate count() as 'count', 'Owner_Role' as 'Owner_Role';
```

The resulting chart shows the number of opportunities where the owner role starts with "Sales", grouped by owner role.

![Number of opportunities where the owner ID starts with Sales.](https://a.sfdcstatic.com/developer-website/sfdocs/analytics/media/bi_dev_guide_saql/bi_saql_string_sw.png)