# First

Returns the first X characters of a string, where X is any positive integer, or the first item in an array.

```yaml
title: 2015 Year Books Photos
array:
  - Sonic
  - Knuckles
  - Tails
```

::tabs

::tab antlers
```antlers
{{ title | first(4) }}
{{ array | first }}
```
::tab blade
```blade
{{ Statamic::modify($title)->first(4) }}
{{ Statamic::modify($array)->first() }}
```
::

```html
2015
Sonic
```