How to Change Lowercase to Uppercase in Google Sheets Without Formula?

Google Sheets is a powerful tool for managing data, but sometimes small tasks, like changing text from lowercase to uppercase, can seem tricky if you’re not familiar with the tricks.

In this post, we’ll show you how to change lowercase text to uppercase in Google Sheets without using any formulas.

This method is straightforward and doesn’t require any advanced knowledge of Google Sheets.

Step-by-Step Guide

Using the UPPER Function via Copy-Paste

Although we’re focusing on methods without formulas, it’s important to briefly mention a method that involves copying and pasting values after applying a formula.

To convert lowercase text to uppercase:

• Select the cells that contain the text you want to change.
• Right-click and choose Copy or press Ctrl+C (Cmd+C on Mac).
• Open a new column next to the selected cells.
• In the first cell of the new column, enter the formula =UPPER(A1) (assuming A1 is your starting cell).

• Drag the fill handle (a small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell) down to apply the formula to other cells in the column.

• Select the new column, right-click, and choose Copy.
• Go back to the original column, right-click, and choose Paste special > Values only.

Now your original column should have all text converted to uppercase.

Using Google Sheets Add-ons

Google Sheets add-ons can extend the functionality of your spreadsheets. One popular add-on for text manipulation is “Power Tools.”

Here’s how to use Power Tools to change text case:

• Open your Google Sheet.
• Click on Extensions in the top menu.
• Select Add-ons > Get add-ons.

Using Google Apps Script

For those who are comfortable with a bit of scripting, Google Apps Script offers a flexible way to automate tasks in Google Sheets.

Here’s a simple script to convert text to uppercase:

• Open your Google Sheet.
• Click on Extensions in the top menu.
• Select Apps Script.

• Delete any code in the script editor and paste the following code:

function convertToUpperCase() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();
  var range = sheet.getActiveRange();
  var values = range.getValues();

  for (var i = 0; i < values.length; i++) {
    for (var j = 0; j < values[i].length; j++) {
      values[i][j] = values[i][j].toString().toUpperCase();
    }
  }

  range.setValues(values);
}

• Click the disk icon to save and name your script (e.g., “ConvertToUpperCase”).

• Close the script editor.
• Back in your Google Sheet, select the cells you want to convert.
• Click on Extensions > Macros > ConvertToUpperCase.

The selected cells will now be converted to uppercase.

Using Find and Replace

Another method involves using the Find and Replace feature:

1. Select the range of cells you want to change.
2. Press Ctrl+H (Cmd+H on Mac) to open Find and Replace.
3. In the Find field, enter a lowercase letter (e.g., “a”).
4. In the Replace with field, enter the uppercase version of that letter (e.g., “A”).
5. Click on Replace all.
6. Repeat this process for each letter of the alphabet.

While this method can be time-consuming, it doesn’t require any formulas or additional tools.

FAQ

Q1: Can I change text case without using any add-ons or scripts?

Yes, you can use the Find and Replace method mentioned above, although it might be time-consuming for large datasets.

Q2: Is there a built-in function in Google Sheets that directly changes case without using formulas?

No, Google Sheets does not have a built-in feature that changes text case directly without using formulas or scripts.

Q3: Are there any keyboard shortcuts to quickly change text case?

No specific keyboard shortcuts exist within Google Sheets for changing text case directly. You can use add-ons or scripts for faster processing.

Q4: Can I automate the process of changing text case for future data entries?

Yes, you can use Google Apps Script to automate this task. The script provided in this post can be modified to run automatically whenever data is entered.

Q5: Will these methods work for non-English characters?

Most methods, including Google Apps Script and add-ons like Power Tools, should support non-English characters.

By following these steps, you can easily change lowercase text to uppercase in Google Sheets without relying solely on formulas.

Whether you prefer using add-ons, scripts, or built-in features like Find and Replace, each method has its own advantages depending on your needs and familiarity with Google Sheets tools.