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How to convert text to proper case in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Text manipulationExcel & Google Sheets
=PROPER(A2)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Original | Proper Case |
| john smith | |
| new york city | |
| HELLO WORLD | |
| data science | |
| excel guide |
=PROPER(A2)→John Smith
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Step by step
- 1Click the destination cell (e.g. B2).
- 2Enter =PROPER(A2) and press Enter.
- 3Copy down to format all rows.
- 4Review the results: PROPER capitalizes letters after spaces and punctuation, so "O'BRIEN" becomes "O'Brien" and "NEW YORK" becomes "New York".
Tips
- PROPER has a known quirk — it capitalizes letters after apostrophes, so "IT'S" becomes "It'S". If this matters, post-process with SUBSTITUTE(PROPER(A2),"'S","'s").
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Frequently asked
Does PROPER work in both Excel and Google Sheets?
Yes — PROPER is available in both with identical syntax.
Can I keep specific words lowercase (like 'and', 'of')?
PROPER doesn't support exceptions. For custom title-case logic you'd need a LAMBDA or helper-column approach.
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