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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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Sample data — click any cell to edit
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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").
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
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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