UPPER Google Sheets Function [With Quiz]

Kieran Dixon

Updated: August 24, 2021

In Google Sheets the UPPER function outputs the provided text with all uppercase characters.

UPPER Syntax

=UPPER(text)

text = the "text" or a cell reference to the text you want to convert to uppercase characters.

This function is useful for converting things that are usually uppercase (like acronyms) to a consistent format.

UPPER, in combination with functions like LEFT and RIGHT, can also be used to make part of some text uppercase.

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UPPER Function Example

	A	B	C
1	Text	Formula	Output
2	abc	=UPPER(A2)	ABC
3	kiss	=UPPER(A3)	KISS
4	Swag	=UPPER(A4)	SWAG
5	FnC	=UPPER(A5)	FNC
6	btb	=UPPER(A6)	BTB

You can also reference text directly instead of using a cell reference:

=UPPER("abc")

Will output: ABC

Using The UPPER Function On A Whole Column

By combining the UPPER function and the ArrayFormula function you can force UPPER to accept more than one argument.

This means you can make multiple cells uppercase, an entire column or row, or even a table with only one formula.

Here's an example using the same data as above:

	A	B	C
1	Text	Formula	Output
2	abc	=ArrayFormula(UPPER(A2:A6))	ABC
3	kiss		KISS
4	Swag		SWAG
5	FnC		FNC
6	btb		BTB

All of the text is converted to uppercase characters using a single formula.

UPPER Errors

The UPPER function is very stable, handling the following without error:

Blank cells,
Numbers (returning them as text), and
Boolean data (returning them as uppercase text)

If you input a range (e.g. A2:A6) without using ArrayFormula it will output one piece of uppercase text if the range crosses the same row or column as the formula's cell.

Otherwise, it will throw a #VALUE! error:

An array value could not be found.

UPPER Function Quiz

Here's a quick summary of how to use the quiz spreadsheet:

Select the required cell while the formula bar is empty
Type your answer in the formula bar
You can click on the spreadsheet to add cell/range references

Complete all questions to solidify your understanding of the UPPER function.

UPPER Function Exercises

Enter a formula for each question in the formula bar for the spreadsheet below.

1. Single Cell

In cell B2, enter a formula that capitalizes every character in the third acronym from the list. Remember to start your formula with '='.

2. Whole Column

In cell C2, enter a formula that changes every acronym in the list to uppercase using a range reference. Remember, the UPPER function won't do this by itself.

Current question: See the correct formula or clear the formula bar.

	A	B	C
1	Acronym	Single	Column
2	abc
3	kiss
4	Swag
5	FnC
6	btb

Click Here When Complete

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Google Sheets Cheat Sheet

12 exclusive tips to make user-friendly sheets from today:

You'll get updates from me with an easy-to-find "unsubscribe" link.

Kieran Dixon started using spreadsheets in 2010. He leveled-up his skills working for banks and running his own business. Now he makes Google Sheets and Apps Script more approachable for anyone looking to streamline their business and life.

UPPER Google Sheets Function [With Quiz]

UPPER Syntax

Google Sheets Cheat Sheet

UPPER Function Example

Using The UPPER Function On A Whole Column

UPPER Errors

UPPER Function Quiz

Google Sheets Cheat Sheet

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