How to Change Text to Uppercase, Lowercase or Proper Case in Excel

Step-by-step

The example is a player list in column B with names typed in different styles: some in capitals, some in lowercase, some mixed. You’ll fix them in a helper column, then turn the formulas into plain text so the sheet doesn’t break later.

1. UPPER: make every letter a capital

In G3, type =UPPER(B3) and press Enter. To apply it to the whole list, drag the small square at the bottom-right of G3 down, or double-click it and Excel fills the formula down automatically (as long as the column next to it has data).

2. Lock the results in place

Column G is still full of formulas, so the names would change if you edited the originals. To keep them, select the results, copy them, then right-click the same spot and choose Paste Special > Values.

• Windows: Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+Alt+V, V, Enter
• Mac: Cmd+C, then Ctrl+Cmd+V, V, Enter

If you want the original column to show the fixed names, paste the values back into column B and delete the helper column.

3. LOWER: make every letter lowercase

Same idea: in G3 type =LOWER(B3), fill it down, then copy and paste as values to keep the result.

4. PROPER: capitalise the first letter of each word

To get names like John Doe, type =PROPER(B3) in G3, fill it down, and paste as values.

Two shortcuts that feel like magic

• Fill handle: after entering the first formula, double-click the small square in the corner of the cell to fill the whole column instantly.
• Flash Fill: type the first name the way you want it in the next column, then press Ctrl+E (Cmd+E on a Mac). Excel follows your example and fills the rest. It works best when the pattern is easy to guess.

Summary

UPPER for all capitals, LOWER for all lowercase, PROPER for a capital first letter. And always paste as values when you’re done, so your sheet stays stable.