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Capitalize names

  1. #1
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    Capitalize names

    I'm doing an Excel sheet for names, phone numbers...

    I'd like cell A1 & B1 to capitalize the the first and last name.
    Last edited by NBVC; 11-28-2008 at 04:49 PM.

  2. #2
    Forum Expert shg's Avatar
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    See the PROPER function.
    Entia non sunt multiplicanda sine necessitate

  3. #3
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    have you tried using the "Proper" function?

    e.g. =proper(a1)

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    Saw it but didn't understand where and how to paste it.

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    once you have it in the format you'd like it, simply cut and 'paste values' so you lose the formula

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    Names are in A & B. I tried the function but ..

    http://screencast.com/t/uHWGeOXLa

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    Forum Expert Simon Lloyd's Avatar
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    thewolfe, there is no need to show us screenshots, simply attach a workbook, that way folk can see your structure and help you directly with that!

    This is how the PROPER function is used:
    =PROPER(A1)
    Not all forums are the same - seek and you shall find

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    I don't have anything to attach because I don't understand where to paste the formula and then how to get it copied into the other cells. I know little to nothing about Excel and your assuming I do.

    Am I missing something in what you said.

  9. #9
    Forum Expert Simon Lloyd's Avatar
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    if your name is in A1 e.g joe bloggs paste the formula i posted in B1, B1 will then display the PROPER text, nothing more complicated than that, copy the formula down to convert all your names then select all the conversions and copy select the destination and then select paste>paste special.values

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    In A1 I have the first name, B1 I have the last name as I said originally. It seems that rather than converting, I now have a lower and upper case first name which deletes the last name in B1.

    Sorry, I'm sure it's simply but it ain't working for me.

    Thanks.

  11. #11
    Forum Expert teylyn's Avatar
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    Maybe you should have posted in the "New Users" forum, then.

    It can be very frustrating for you and for the people trying to help you if we don't know what your skill level is. I suggest that you find a tutorial on basic Excel usage, so you know what do do with cell entries and formulas.

    Here's a link to get you started:

    http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/exc...readsheets.htm

    cheers

  12. #12
    Forum Expert Simon Lloyd's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by thewolfe View Post
    In A1 I have the first name, B1 I have the last name as I said originally. It seems that rather than converting, I now have a lower and upper case first name which deletes the last name in B1.

    Sorry, I'm sure it's simply but it ain't working for me.

    Thanks.
    You didn't explain properly!, paste this in C1 and copy down:
    =PROPER(A1 & " " & B1)

  13. #13
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    Please explain what I should have said. Here's my original post: "I'd like cell A1 & B1 to capitalize the the first and last name."

    And again I said later on: "In A1 I have the first name, B1 I have the last name as I said originally".

    I want "Bob" in A1 and "Smith" in B1. When I use your last formula I get the following. http://screencast.com/t/KTHxHVdjR (A pic is like a thousand words)

    I don't want it like line 1 I want it to look like line 3.

    And again, I'm grateful for your help and probably as frustrated as you are with are inability to communicate.

  14. #14
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    In C1, enter, =Proper(A1) and in D1 enter, =Proper(B1)

    Then copy these formulas down the columns...

    If you want to overwrite the original columns, A & B... then copy column C & D and go to A1.. Go to Edit|Paste Special... select Values and click Ok.

    Then you can deleted columns C & D
    Where there is a will there are many ways.

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  15. #15
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    Hey, believe it or not ....I got it. All the steps were there.

    I'm still surprised that Excel doesn't have something in cell format or somewhere that says cap the first letter in cells A1.........

    Thanks again.

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