Microsoft Word

How to Change Text to All Caps in Word

Spencer LanoueSpencer Lanoue
Microsoft Word

Ever find yourself staring at a Word document, wishing you could magically turn your text into all caps at the click of a button? You're not alone. Whether it's for emphasis, style, or a formatting requirement, there are several methods to make all your text shout (in a good way) in Microsoft Word. Let's take a look at how you can achieve this with ease.

🔮
The AI Alternative to Google Docs & Word:
Save time by letting Spell write your docs for you. Turn hours of doc writing work into minutes. Try it free →

Using the Ribbon for Quick Formatting

The Ribbon in Microsoft Word is like that trusty old toolbox you always reach for, and it has a straightforward way to make your text all caps. Here's how you can do it:

  • Select Your Text: Start by highlighting the text you want to change. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse over the text or by holding down the Shift key while using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
  • Navigate to the Home Tab: Once your text is selected, head over to the Home tab on the Ribbon. It's the starting point for most of your formatting needs.
  • Find the Change Case Button: In the Font group, look for the "Aa" icon. It's the Change Case button, and it offers several text transformation options.
  • Select UPPERCASE: Click on the Change Case button, and from the dropdown menu, choose "UPPERCASE." Your text will immediately transform into all caps.

And there you have it! Your text is now shouting in style. This method is quick and works great for small selections of text. However, if you're dealing with larger documents or need to automate the process, keep reading for more options.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Formatting

If you're a fan of shortcuts, Word has you covered. There's a handy keyboard shortcut that can convert your selected text to all caps without needing to touch your mouse. Here's how:

  • Select Your Text: As before, start by highlighting the text you want to change.
  • Use the Shortcut: Press Ctrl + Shift + A on your keyboard. This command changes your selected text to all caps instantly.

Shortcuts can be a real time-saver, especially if you're a frequent Word user. It's like having a secret handshake with your software, making you feel like a pro. If you often find yourself changing text to all caps, this shortcut can make your workflow much smoother.

Setting Up AutoCorrect for Automatic Caps

What if you could type normally, and Word automatically capitalizes everything for you? Enter AutoCorrect—a feature that can be your personal assistant in formatting text. Here's how to set it up:

  • Access AutoCorrect Options: Go to File > Options > Proofing. Click on "AutoCorrect Options."
  • Create a Rule: In the AutoCorrect dialog box, you can set a rule to replace any lowercase letter sequence with its uppercase equivalent. For example, type "abc" in the "Replace" box and "ABC" in the "With" box.
  • Apply the Rule: Click "Add," then "OK" to apply your new AutoCorrect rule. Now, whenever you type "abc," Word will automatically change it to "ABC."

This method is particularly useful if you frequently need to capitalize specific words or phrases. It's like having a mini automation tool right within Word. However, for longer text transformations, other methods might be more practical.

The AI-First Document Editor
Spell is the AI-powered alternative to Google Docs and Microsoft Word.
Get started for free

Using Word's Styles for Consistent Formatting

Styles in Word are a powerful way to maintain consistency throughout your document, and they can also help with all caps formatting. Here's how you can leverage styles:

  • Open Styles Pane: Go to the Home tab, and click on the small arrow in the Styles group to open the Styles pane.
  • Create a New Style: Click on "New Style" at the bottom of the pane. This will open a dialog where you can define your style settings.
  • Set Text to All Caps: In the New Style dialog, click on the "Format" button, select "Font," and check the "All caps" box.
  • Apply Your Style: Name your style and apply it to any text you want in all caps. This ensures uniformity across your document.

Using styles is especially handy for large documents where consistent formatting is crucial. It's like having a uniform dress code for your text—everyone looks sharp and coordinated. You can also modify styles later if you decide to tweak the look of your document.

Macros: Automating the Process

For those who love to automate, Word's macro feature can be a blessing. Macros allow you to record a series of actions and play them back with a single command. Here's how you can create a macro for all caps:

  • Record a Macro: Go to View > Macros > Record Macro. Give your macro a name, like "AllCaps," and choose a button or keyboard shortcut for it.
  • Perform the Action: While recording, select some text and change it to all caps using one of the methods we discussed earlier.
  • Stop Recording: Once you've performed the action, stop the recording by clicking View > Macros > Stop Recording.
  • Use Your Macro: Whenever you need to change text to all caps, simply run your macro using the button or shortcut you set up.

Macros are like having a personal assistant that does repetitive tasks for you. They can save you significant time, especially with large documents. However, setting them up requires a bit of upfront effort, so they're best for users who frequently need to automate similar tasks.

Changing Case with Spell

If you're looking for an even quicker way to handle document formatting, consider using Spell. Our AI-powered document editor can transform your text to all caps in seconds, along with offering other editing features. Spell is particularly useful for creating high-quality documents with minimal effort. It's like having a supercharged version of Word right at your fingertips.

Go From Idea to Polished Doc 10x Faster With Spell 🪄
Get started for free

Using Find and Replace for Bulk Changes

Sometimes you need to change all occurrences of a specific word or phrase to all caps. Word's Find and Replace feature can help you do this efficiently:

  • Open Find and Replace: Press Ctrl + H to open the Find and Replace dialog.
  • Enter Your Text: In the "Find what" box, type the text you want to change. In the "Replace with" box, type the same text in all caps.
  • Use Advanced Options: Click on "More" to expand the options. Check "Match case" to ensure only exact matches are replaced.
  • Replace All: Click "Replace All" to change every occurrence of your text to all caps throughout the document.

This method is great when you need to make bulk changes across a document. It's like having a magic wand that applies your changes instantly. However, remember to double-check the results, as Find and Replace can sometimes catch more than you intended.

Manual Editing for Small Changes

For those who enjoy a hands-on approach, you can always manually change text to all caps by retyping it. While this can be tedious for large amounts of text, it works fine for small edits:

  • Highlight the Text: Select the text you need to change.
  • Type in All Caps: Simply retype the text in all caps.

This method is straightforward and doesn't require any additional tools or settings. However, it does rely on your typing skills, so it might not be the best choice for lengthy documents. It's like taking the scenic route—sometimes enjoyable, but not always the fastest option.

The AI Alternative to Google Docs
Go from idea to polished doc in seconds with Spell's AI-powered document editor.
Create my first doc

Using a Third-Party Tool for Advanced Formatting

Beyond Word's built-in features, third-party tools can offer additional formatting capabilities. One such tool is Spell, which provides advanced document editing features, including changing text to all caps. Spell integrates AI to make document creation and editing a breeze, letting you focus on the content rather than the formatting. It's like having a professional editor at your side, ready to assist with any task.

Final Thoughts

Changing text to all caps in Word is a simple task once you know the ropes. Whether you use the Ribbon, keyboard shortcuts, or even a tool like Spell, there's a method that'll fit your needs. Spell makes this even easier by allowing you to transform your documents quickly and efficiently, so you can spend more time on what really matters. Crafting your message.

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer has been working in product and growth for the last 10 years. He's currently Head of Growth at Sugardoh. Before that he worked at Bump Boxes, Buffer, UserTesting, and a few other early-stage startups.

Related posts