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Excel

PROPER function in Excel

Capitalizes the first letter in each word of a text value

=PROPER(text)

PROPER syntax and parameters

One argument, one required.

  • textstringRequired

    Text enclosed in quotation marks, a formula that returns text, or a reference to a cell containing the text you want to partially capitalize.

PROPER examples

Formulas you'll actually reuse.

  1. A shouted name tidied into Title Case:

    =PROPER(A2)

    Result"Maria Lopez"

  2. Undo the apostrophe-S that PROPER capitalises:

    =SUBSTITUTE(PROPER(A2), "'S", "'s")

    Result"O'Brien's"

PROPER in Google Sheets

Same name — your formula ports as-is.

Try PROPER in the playground

Edit the example — nothing to install.

Preloaded with the PROPER formula from Example 1 — change anything and watch it respond.

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