Convert a string to proper case in a label expression

Summary

Instructions provided describe how to use a label expression to convert a string that is upper case, lower case or mixed case to proper case. For example, if a string that is in the following formats:

"hello world"
"HELLO WORLD"
"hELLO wORLD"

The following label expression will convert the string to: "Hello World".

For information on how to do the equivalent steps in the ArcMap field calculator, see the link in the Related Information section below.

Procedure

1. Open the Label Expression dialog box.
   
   
   A. Right-click on the layer in ArcMap's Table of Contents and select Properties to display the Layer Properties dialog box.
   B. Select the Labels tab.
   C. Click the Expression button to the right of the Label Field to display the Label Expression dialog box.
   
   
2. Click the Advanced button.
3. Use the following code when converting only one field. Remember to change the name of the field [MyFieldName] to match the field name in the two locations below where it is referenced.
   
   

   Code:
   Function FindLabel ([MyFieldName])
     FindLabel = PCase([MyFieldName])
   End Function
   
   Function PCase(strInput)
     Dim iPosition
     Dim iSpace
     Dim strOutput
     iPosition = 1
     Do While InStr(iPosition, strInput, " ", 1) <> 0
       iSpace = InStr(iPosition, strInput, " ", 1)
       strOutput = strOutput & UCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition, 1))
       strOutput = strOutput & LCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition + 1, iSpace - iPosition))
       iPosition = iSpace + 1
     Loop
     strOutput = strOutput & UCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition, 1))
     strOutput = strOutput & LCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition + 1))
     PCase = strOutput
   End Function

   
   
4. Use the following code when converting many fields at once. Remember to change the field names in the code below. Add more fields if required.
   
   

   Code:
   Function FindLabel ([MyFieldName1], [MyFieldName2], [MyFieldName3])
     FindLabel = PCase([MyFieldName1] & " " & [MyFieldName2] & " " & [MyFieldName3])
   End Function
   
   Function PCase(strInput)
     Dim iPosition
     Dim iSpace
     Dim strOutput
     iPosition = 1
     Do While InStr(iPosition, strInput, " ", 1) <> 0
       iSpace = InStr(iPosition, strInput, " ", 1)
       strOutput = strOutput & UCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition, 1))
       strOutput = strOutput & LCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition + 1, iSpace - iPosition))
       iPosition = iSpace + 1
     Loop
     strOutput = strOutput & UCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition, 1))
     strOutput = strOutput & LCase(Mid(strInput, iPosition + 1))
     PCase = strOutput
   End Function

   
   
5. Click OK on the Label Expression dialog box.
6. Ensure that 'Label features in this layer' is checked on the Layer Properties > Labels tab.
7. Click OK on the Layer Properties > Labels tab.