Purpose
Return value
Arguments
- text - The text that should be converted to proper case.
Syntax
How to use
The PROPER function capitalizes each word in a given text string. PROPER function takes just one argument, text, which can be a text value or cell reference. PROPER first lowercases any uppercase letters, then capitalizes each word in the provided text string. Numbers, punctuation, and spaces are not affected. PROPER will convert numbers to text with number formatting removed.
Examples
=PROPER("apple") // returns "Apple"
=PROPER("APPLE") // returns "Apple"
Numbers or punctuation characters inside a text string are unaffected:
=PROPER("XYY-020-kwp") // returns "Xyy-020-Kwp"
If a numeric value is given to PROPER, number formatting is removed. For example, if cell A1 contains the date June 26, 2021, date formatting will be lost and PROPER will return a date serial number as text:
=PROPER(A1) // returns "44373"
Related functions
Use the LOWER function to convert text to lowercase, use the UPPER function to convert text to uppercase, and use the PROPER function to capitalize the words in a text string.
Notes
- Use PROPER to capitalize each word in a given string.
- All words in a text string are capitalized.
- Numbers and punctuation characters are not affected.
- Number formatting is removed from standalone numeric values.
PROPER function examples
Put names into proper case
PROPER function videos
How to change case with UPPER LOWER and PROPER
Related functions
UPPER Function
The Excel UPPER function converts a text string to all uppercase letters. Numbers, punctuation, and spaces are not affected.
LOWER Function
The Excel LOWER function converts a text string to all lowercase letters. Numbers, punctuation, and spaces are not affected.
PROPER Function
The Excel PROPER function capitalizes each word in a given text string. Numbers, punctuation, and spaces are not affected.
EXACT Function
The Excel EXACT function compares two text strings, taking into account upper and lower case characters, and returns TRUE if they are the same, and FALSE if not. EXACT is case-sensitive.
