Copying from one column to another

It's all in the same table
How do I copy something from one column to another, but limiting it to only the first "x" characters?

so if i wanted to copy just 'ABC' instead of 'ABCDEFG' how could i do that?

thanks in advanceSomething like:

DECLARE @.x int; SET @.x = 3
UPDATE <table>
SET COL2 = LEFT(COL1,@.x)

|||Thank you :}

Can I ask what LEFT means?|||LEFT Returns the part of a character string starting at a specified number of characters from the left. In this case the left 3 characters.

Have a look into SQL Server Books Online.|||ooh so you could even do right?
and what about center?

i'll do that. you have any good sites offhand? i have a few sites but none seem to be "that great"|||Regarding the center or any other portion of a string that doesn't start at the left end or right end you would use the SUBSTRING function. In terms of sites for Tranact SQL I don't knwo of to many and have found the SQL Server Books Online reference to be pretty complete.

Cheers