PROPER Function in Excel
Beginner
Converts the first letter of each word to uppercase and remaining letters to lowercase.
Syntax
=PROPER(text)Example
Use Case
Format names properly: 'john smith' becomes 'John Smith'.
Common Errors to Avoid
- Capitalizes after any non-letter character (including apostrophes: o'brien → O'Brien)
- May incorrectly capitalize: 'mcDonald' → 'Mcdonald' (should be 'McDonald')
- Numbers reset capitalization: 'abc123def' → 'Abc123Def'
Pro Tips
Great for standardizing name formatting. Be aware of edge cases like 'McDonald', 'O'Brien', or 'iPhone'. For business names with specific capitalization, use manual entry or find-replace. Always review results for proper nouns.
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