---
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.

 The len function can now be used with lists, sets, and tuples.

## Syntax

`len(value)`

### Parameters

| Type   | Parameter  | Description          |
|--------|------------|----------------------|
| Object | `value`    | The object whose length is being evaluated. |

### Returns

**Integer** - The length of the provided object (number of characters, rows, or elements depending on the type).

## Examples

```py title="Code Snippet"
len("Hello World") //Returns 11.
```

```py title="Code Snippet"
len({Root Container.Table.data}) //Returns the number of rows in the table.
```