---
title: "len"
description: "Returns the length of the argument, which may be a string or a dataset."
---

# len

> Returns the length of the argument, which may be a string or a dataset.

**This function is used by Ignition's Expression language.**

## Description
Returns the length of the argument, which may be a string or a dataset. If the argument is a string, it returns the number of characters in the string. If the argument is a dataset, it returns the number of rows in the dataset. Will return zero if the argument is null.

## Syntax
`len(value)`

- Parameters

    - object **value**- The starting object.

- Results

    - int - The length of the provided object.

## Examples
```python title="Code Snippet"
len("Hello World") //returns 11
```
```python title="Code Snippet"
len({Root Container.Table.data}) //returns the number of rows in the table.
```