5 Quick Ways to Change Uppercase Text in Excel

In today's data-driven environments, Excel continues to be a vital tool for anyone dealing with numbers, text, or any form of spreadsheet data. One common task is managing text case, especially when dealing with data entry where uniformity is crucial. Here, we delve into five quick ways to change uppercase text in Excel, ensuring your spreadsheets look professional and are easier to manage.

1. Using the UPPER Function

Excel’s UPPER function is the simplest way to convert text to all uppercase. Here’s how to do it:

• Select the cell where you want the uppercase result to appear.
• Enter the formula: =UPPER(A1), where A1 is the cell containing the text you wish to convert.

🔍 Note: This method doesn’t change the original cell content; it just returns the uppercase version in the cell where you apply the formula.

2. Change Case with Flash Fill

Introduced in Excel 2013, Flash Fill can recognize patterns in your data and fill in values based on these patterns:

• Type the first instance of uppercase text in a new column next to your original data.
• Hit enter, then press Ctrl + E to let Flash Fill do its magic.

🔍 Note: Ensure your data follows a clear pattern for Flash Fill to work effectively.

3. Writing a Macro for Case Conversion

For frequent case conversions, a VBA macro can be a timesaver:

• Open the VBA editor with Alt + F11.
• Insert a new module and paste the following code:

Sub UppercaseText()
    Dim rng As Range
    Set rng = Selection
    For Each cell In rng
        cell.Value = UCase(cell.Value)
    Next cell
End Sub

To use this macro:

• Select the cells you want to convert.
• Run the macro from the Developer tab or with a custom shortcut.

4. Using Power Query

Power Query offers advanced data transformation tools, including text case conversion:

• Select your data range.
• Go to Data > Get & Transform Data > From Table/Range.
• In Power Query Editor, use the Transform > Capitalize Each Word option, or go to Advanced Editor to write custom code for uppercase conversion:

let
    Source = Excel.CurrentWorkbook(){[Name="Table1"]}[Content],
    CapitalizedText = Table.TransformColumns(Source,{{"Column1", Text.Upper, type text}})
in
    CapitalizedText

5. Conditional Formatting

While conditional formatting doesn't change the actual text case, it can visually highlight changes:

• Select the range where you want to apply the formatting.
• Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.
• Choose Use a formula to determine which cells to format and use something like =EXACT(A1,UPPER(A1)) to highlight cells where the text case doesn't match.

Wrapping up these methods, it's clear that Excel provides multiple avenues for case conversion. Whether you prefer a simple formula, advanced features like Flash Fill and Power Query, or the automation of VBA macros, there's a solution for every scenario. Each method has its strengths, catering to different needs in terms of ease of use, scale, and automation, allowing you to maintain data consistency effortlessly.

How do I convert text to lowercase in Excel?

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Use the LOWER function. For example, =LOWER(A1) will convert the text in cell A1 to lowercase.

Can I use Flash Fill for other text modifications?

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Yes, Flash Fill can detect patterns for various text modifications including capitalization, removing characters, and more, as long as you provide a consistent example for it to follow.

What’s the benefit of using VBA for case conversion?

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VBA allows for automation, enabling you to convert case across multiple sheets or workbooks with just one command, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Is Power Query only available in certain Excel versions?

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Power Query is available in Excel 2013 and later versions, as well as in Excel for Office 365.

Can conditional formatting actually change text case?

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No, it only changes the visual appearance, making it seem like the text case has changed, but the actual content remains the same.