Using the PROPER function to change first letters to uppercase

Previously, we looked at how to use the UPPER and LOWER Functions to convert text between Upper and Lowercase. Today we’ll be learning how to convert the first letter in each word to a Capital letter and all other letters to common letters. To do this, we will be using the PROPER Function. This function capitalizes the first letter in a text string and any letters that follow characters other than a letter (such as a space). All other letters will be changed to lowercase. Here is the syntax that is used for the PROPER Function:
PROPER(text)
text: Text enclosed in quotation marks, a formula that returns text, or a reference to a cell that contains the text that should have an initial capital letter.

Here is how we will use the PROPER Function to achieve our task:

In cells A1:A5 enter your text. Make sure you enter some words in All Caps to make sure the formula works.
Select cells B1:B5 and type the following formula: =PROPER(A1).
Press CTRL+Enter.

You will see that all the words will be in a ‘proper’ format. If this has helped you please leave a comment. Thanks. This tip should work in Excel 97, 2000, 2003 and 2007.

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3 Comments

STU

1

It seems to only do one at a time. How do i do an entire column?
August 20th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Tim

2

Quality thanks !! top tip :O)
September 11th, 2008 at 5:01 am
Minnie

3

I have done this for a whole column which is great, but I need to delete the initial column that doesnt have all first letter caps. Obviously if I do this then the new column cannot refer to anything so loses the reference.
Any thoughts?
October 8th, 2008 at 3:42 am