PROPER Function in Excel: Capitalise Each Word

⏱ 1 min readUpdated 28 September 2026

TextLevel: BeginnerAvailable in: Excel 2007+

In this article
  1. Syntax
  2. Examples
  3. Example 1
  4. Example 2
  5. Common errors and fixes
  6. Related functions

PROPER capitalises the first letter of each word; UPPER and LOWER change the whole text.

Syntax

=PROPER(text)
Argument What it means
text Text to change.

Examples

Example 1

=PROPER("asha VERMA")

Asha Verma.

Example 2

=UPPER(A2)

Codes in capitals: pan → PAN.

Common errors and fixes

You see Why, and the fix
McDonald becomes Mcdonald PROPER cannot know name rules; fix exceptions by hand or with SUBSTITUTE.

UPPER · LOWER · TRIM

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