Catalog

How to Capitalize First Letter in Google Sheets: A Step-by-Step Guide

December 7, 2023 1.2K views

Wondering if you can capitalize the first letter in Google Sheets without using formulas? Yes, you can! Dive into this guide to learn manual techniques and discover helpful add-ons that streamline the process. Let's explore the art of text formatting in Google Sheets.

Can I Capitalize First Letter in Google Sheets Without Formula?

While there is no direct option to capitalize the first letter of each word in Google Sheets without using a formula, there are two alternative methods to achieve this: manual capitalization and utilizing an add-on.

Method 1: Manual Capitalization

For a small number of cells, manually capitalizing the first letter of each word is a straightforward approach. Simply double-click the desired cell to enter editing mode, and then manually capitalize the first letter of each word. This method is suitable for quick edits and minor adjustments.

Method 2: Using an Add-on

For larger datasets or frequent capitalization tasks, employing an add-on can significantly enhance efficiency. Google Sheets offers a variety of add-ons that can automate text formatting, including capitalizing the first letter of each word. Popular options include:

  • Power Tools: The Power Tools add-on provides a comprehensive set of text manipulation tools, including a "Capitalize Each Word" feature that converts all lowercase letters to uppercase and capitalizes the first letter of each word.

  • Ablebits Text Tools: The Ablebits Text Tools add-on offers a range of text manipulation features, including a "Proper Case" function that converts text to title case, capitalizing the first letter of each word.

Once installed, these add-ons provide options to apply their functions to selected cells or entire ranges, streamlining the process of capitalizing first letters

How to Capitalize First Letter in Google Sheets Using PROPER Function

The PROPER function in Google Sheets is a valuable tool designed to capitalize the first letter of each word in a given cell. It's particularly useful for enhancing the readability and professionalism of text within your spreadsheet.

Step 1: Select Cell: Begin by selecting the cell containing the text you want to capitalize.

Step 2: Enter Formula: In an adjacent cell, input the PROPER function, referencing the original cell. For example: =PROPER(A1)

Step 3: Press Enter: Hit the Enter key to apply the formula, and the first letter of each word in the specified cell will be capitalized.

How to Capitalize First Letter in Google Sheets Using Add-on

There are various add-ons available for Google Sheets that can assist in capitalizing the first letter of each word. One popular option is the Power Tools add-on, which offers a comprehensive set of text manipulation tools.

Step 1: Navigate to Add-ons Menu: Open your Google Sheets document and navigate to the "Add-ons" menu located at the top.

Step 2: Select "Get Add-ons": Click on "Get add-ons" to explore available add-ons for Google Sheets.

Step 3: Search and Install Add-on: In the Add-ons marketplace, search for an Add-on that offers text capitalization features. Install the chosen Add-on.

Step 4: Activate the Add-on: Once installed, activate the Add-on by following the prompts.

Step 5: Open Add-on Options: Find the installed Add-on in the Add-ons menu and open its options.

Step 6: Choose "Sentence Case": Within the Add-on options, select the "Sentence case" option to capitalize the first letter.

This user-friendly Add-on simplifies the process, allowing you to easily capitalize the first letter in Google Sheets without manual effort.

How to Capitalize All Letters in Google Sheets 

The UPPER function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool designed to transform all text within a given cell to uppercase. It provides a quick and efficient way to standardize text formatting.

Step 1: Select Cell: Begin by selecting the cell containing the text you want to capitalize.

Step 2: Enter Formula: In an adjacent cell, input the UPPER function, referencing the original cell. For example: =UPPER(A1)

Step 3: Press Enter: Hit the Enter key to apply the formula, and all letters in the specified cell will be transformed to uppercase.

This straightforward guide demonstrates how to easily capitalize all letters in Google Sheets using the UPPER function, ensuring consistent and standardized text formatting.

Best Free Alternative to Google Sheets - WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet is a comprehensive and user-friendly spreadsheet application that offers a compelling alternative to Google Sheets. It is part of the WPS Office suite, a free and feature-rich office productivity suite that rivals Microsoft Office.

Key Features of WPS Spreadsheet:

  1. Free Download and Free to Use: WPS Office, including WPS Spreadsheet, is available for free download and use, making it an attractive option for individuals and businesses seeking a cost-effective alternative to paid productivity suites.

  2. File Compatibility: WPS Spreadsheet seamlessly opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Excel files, ensuring seamless collaboration and compatibility with existing spreadsheets.

  3. Free PDF Editing Tools: WPS Spreadsheet offers built-in PDF editing tools, allowing users to convert, edit, and annotate PDF documents directly within the spreadsheet application.

  4. Rich Template Library: WPS Office's Template Library provides a vast collection of free and professionally designed templates for various purposes, including spreadsheets, presentations, and documents.

WPS AI: WPS Office incorporates AI-powered features that enhance productivity and streamline document creation. WPS AI's intelligent features include:

  1. Document Analysis: WPS AI analyzes documents to identify key elements and suggest improvements.

  2. Efficient Formatting: WPS AI automatically formats documents for optimal presentation and readability.

  3. Intelligent Content Recommendations: WPS AI provides contextual content recommendations to enhance document clarity and effectiveness.

With its free availability, comprehensive features, and AI-powered enhancements, WPS Spreadsheet stands out as a powerful and versatile alternative to Google Sheets. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a home user, WPS Spreadsheet is an excellent choice for your spreadsheet needs.

FAQs

How to automatically capitalize the first letter in Google Docs?

Step 1: Open your Google Docs document.

Step 2: Go to "Tools" > "Preferences."

Step 3: Check "Automatic capitalization" and click "OK."

How to make text lowercase in Google Sheets?

Step 1: Open your Google Sheets document.

Step 2: Select the cell or range.

Step 3: In the formula bar, type =LOWER(A1) (replace A1 with your cell reference).

Step 4: Press Enter.

How Can I Capitalize Only the First Letter in a Specific Range of Cells in Google Sheets?

To capitalize only the first letter in a specific range of cells in Google Sheets, you can utilize the PROPER function with a slight modification. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Select the cell where you want the capitalized text to start.

Step 2: Input the formula: =ARRAYFORMULA(PROPER(A1:A)) in the adjacent cell, replacing "A1:A" with the range of cells you want to capitalize.

Step 3: Press Enter.

This formula will capitalize the first letter of each word in the specified range, providing a quick and efficient way to format text in a specific section of your Google Sheet.

Summary

In this guide, we explained different ways to capitalize letters in Google Sheets, including manual methods and functions like PROPER and UPPER, with clear step-by-step instructions and screenshots for easy understanding. We also highlighted the advantages of WPS Office, particularly WPS Spreadsheet, emphasizing its features like free download, compatibility with Microsoft Excel, and the use of WPS AI for advanced document analysis.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.