Master MS Access Text Case: Simple Steps for Upper, Lower, and Proper Case

In Microsoft Access, text casing is controlled using either visual formatting rules to change how data looks, or VBA functions within queries and forms to permanently modify the underlying text. Unlike Microsoft Word or Excel, Access handles case conversion dynamically using specific expressions or properties.

Here is your comprehensive guide to implementing Upper, Lower, Proper, and Sentence case in MS Access. 🔠 Upper Case Converts all letters in a text string to capital letters. Method 1: Display Formatting Only (Table/Form Property)

If you want the text to look uppercase but remain stored exactly as the user typed it, use the Format property. Open your table or form in Design View. Click on the text field or control.

In the Field Properties pane (at the bottom or in the Property Sheet), look for the Format row. Type a greater-than symbol: >

Method 2: Permanent Conversion (Queries & Expression Builder)

To modify the text permanently, use the UCase() function or the StrConv() function inside a Select or Update query: Expression: UCase([FieldName])

Alternative Expression: StrConv([FieldName], 1) (The number 1 designates uppercase conversion). 🔡 Lower Case Converts all letters in a text string to small letters. Method 1: Display Formatting Only (Table/Form Property)

Forces the display to be entirely lowercase without changing the raw data. Change the case of text – Microsoft Support