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UPPER.

Converts all letters in a text string to uppercase.

SyntaxArgumentsExampleInteractive SandboxGeneratorCompatibilityFAQRelatedCheat Sheet
Category: Text & Manipulation
ExcelExcel 365Excel 2021Excel 2019Google Sheets

How it works.

UPPER converts all lowercase letters in a text string into uppercase capital letters. Numbers and punctuation characters remain unaffected.

Formula syntax.

Standard Excel Notation
=UPPER(text)
Tip:Arguments wrapped in square brackets [like_this] are optional; all other arguments are required.

Formula arguments.

Every parameter accepted by the UPPER function is detailed below.

textRequired

The text to convert to uppercase.

Example value: A2

Simple example.

Step-by-Step Scenario

Standardize Promo Codes

Capitalize coupon promo codes to standard uppercase format.

User InputUppercase Code
save20now—
welcome_vip—
Applied Formula
=UPPER(A2)
Expected Result:EXCEL FORMULAS

Evaluates UPPER over the sample table cells, placing the verified output in cell B2.

Formula generator.

Full Generator Wizard

Customize the argument fields below to generate a tailored UPPER formula ready to paste directly into your worksheet.

Generated FormulaReady to copy
=UPPER()

Expected result behavior.

Returns "EXCEL FORMULAS" based on sample evaluation criteria and active cell references.

Sample Output:EXCEL FORMULAS
Output Type:Text String

Best Practices

  • Normalize state abbreviations, promo codes, or postal codes so comparisons are consistent.

Common Mistakes

  • Special symbols and numbers are unaffected by UPPER.
Compatibility Database

Platform & version compatibility.

Verified platform compatibility matrix based on actual spreadsheet calculation engine specifications.

Excel✓
Supported
Excel 365✓
Supported
Excel 2021✓
Supported
Excel 2019✓
Supported
Google Sheets✓
Supported
Microsoft Excel History & Version Availability

Core standard function supported across all modern and legacy Microsoft Excel versions (365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010), as well as Excel for the Web and Mac.

Google Sheets Compatibility Notes

100% compatible with Google Sheets. Uses identical argument order, data types, and standard calculation logic.

Frequently asked questions.

Technical Q&A
Can I use UPPER across different worksheets in Excel?↓

Yes. You can reference cells located on other sheets by including the sheet name followed by an exclamation mark, for example: =UPPER(Sheet2!A2:A10). If the sheet name contains spaces, enclose it in single quotes: ='Q1 Report'!A2:A10.

What is the most common reason for errors in UPPER?↓

Special symbols and numbers are unaffected by UPPER.

Does UPPER work identically in Google Sheets?↓

Yes, UPPER is supported in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets with standard evaluation behavior.