Excel function · Changing text
PROPER
Capitalises the first letter of each word.
What it does
PROPER makes the first letter of every word a capital and the rest small letters. It suits names typed all in lower or upper case.
Syntax
=PROPER(text)Arguments in square brackets are optional, and … means you can add more of the same. In this Excel language, arguments are separated by ,
Arguments
- text
- The text to change, usually a cell.
Example
A name was typed all in small letters. How do you capitalise it?
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | As entered | Cleaned |
| 2 | ana ruiz | Ana Ruiz |
The formula in B2:
=PROPER(A2)Result: Ana Ruiz
Each word gets a capital first letter: ana ruiz becomes Ana Ruiz.
Common mistakes
- Trusting it with every name. It changes McKay to Mckay and o'neil to O'Neil, so check the results.
- Using it on codes or abbreviations, where it turns USB-C into Usb-C.
In other Excel languages
Excel translates function names, and in some languages the argument separator too. Type the name your Excel shows.
| Excel language | Function name | Separator |
|---|---|---|
| English | PROPER | , |
| Deutsch | GROSS2 | ; |
| Français | NOMPROPRE | ; |
| Español (España) | NOMPROPIO | ; |
| Español (México) | NOMPROPIO | , |
| 日本語 | PROPER | , |
| 한국어 | PROPER | , |
| 繁體中文 | PROPER | , |
| ไทย | PROPER | , |
| ខ្មែរ | PROPER | , |
| Tiếng Việt | PROPER | ; |