The UPPER, lower and Proper functions in Microsoft Excel allow you to change the case of text. For example, from john smith to John Smith or JOHN SMITH.
The Proper Function
What does the PROPER function do?
The PROPER function capitalises the first letter in a text string. (i.e. the first letter of each word.) All other letters will be in lowercase. So All Text Will Look A Bit Like This.
Syntax
=PROPER(text)
Text can be a cell reference (A2), enclosed in quotation marks “like this”, or a formula.
Example
Note – Existing capital letters may be affected (for example a postcode such as NE2 4NB will change to Ne2 4Nb). Numbers, spaces and punctuation are not affected by the PROPER function in Excel.
The UPPER Function
What does the UPPER function do?
The UPPER function converts a text string (e.g. a word) to UPPER case. Numbers, spaces and punctuation are not affected.
Syntax
=UPPER(text)
Text can be a cell reference (A2), enclosed in quotation marks “like this”, or a formula.
Example
The lower Function
What does the lower function do?
The LOWER function converts a text string (e.g. a word) to lower case. Numbers, spaces and punctuation are not affected.
Syntax
=LOWER(text)
Text can be a cell reference (A2), enclosed in quotation marks “like this”, or a formula.
Example
Download the examples
Click on the download button above, if you want to download a copy of the examples used for the lower, UPPER and Proper functions into Excel. You can then download a copy of the file by going to File, then Save As, then choose Download a Copy.
Excel Video Tutorial – using UPPER, lower & Proper
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