Need help with capitalization? Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs include three features to assist with capitalization. One feature automatically capitalizes the first letter of a sentence. The second feature offers suggestions for capitalizing proper nouns. Finally, the third feature allows you to select text and apply capitalization formatting.
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The benefits of auto capitalization tools and checkers:
- Saves time by automatically capitalizing the first letter in a sentence
- Ensures that capitalization rules are followed
- Reduces mistakes and improves the professionalism of the document
Get started by logging into your free Microsoft account and free Google account.
Microsoft: Capitalization features
Auto capitalization for the first letter of a sentence in Word
Microsoft Word will automatically capitalize the first letter of a sentence. However, it is important that punctuation is used. You must add a period at the end of the sentence. Then, the first letter of the next sentence will be automatically capitalized.
- Open a document in Word.
- Start typing the first word of a sentence using all lowercase letters.
- Once you type a space after the first word, the first letter of the word will automatically change to a capital letter.
- Add a period to the end of the sentence.
- Repeat steps 1 – 3.
Microsoft Support Article: Turn AutoCorrect on or off in Word, Turn AutoCorrect on or off in Outlook


Suggestions for capitalization in Word
Microsoft will offer suggestions for capitalization for:
- well-known brand names
- common names of people
- well-known places
- days of the week and months of the year
There are limitations to this feature. It may not recognize certain names of people and places. Also, the feature does not offer suggestions for capitalization.


Capitalization formatting in Word
In Microsoft Word, you also have the ability to select text and choose the capitalization format. The choices are sentence case, lowercase, uppercase, capitalize each word, or toggle case.
- Select a word or group of words.
- In the Home tab, press the More button (three dots).
- Select Change Case.
- Choose Capitalize Each Word to capitalize the first letter of the word(s).
Microsoft Support Article: Change the capitalization or case of text
Google: Capitalization features
Auto capitalization for the first letter of a sentence in Docs
Google Docs will automatically capitalize the first letter of a sentence. Like the automatic capitalization feature in Microsoft, it is important that punctuation is used. You must add a period at the end of the sentence. Then, the first letter of the next sentence will be automatically capitalized.
- Open a document in Docs.
- Start typing the first word of a sentence using all lowercase letters.
- Once you type a space after the first word, the first letter of the word will automatically change to a capital letter.
- Add a period to the end of the sentence.
- Repeat steps 1 – 3.
To turn auto capitalization on or off, select Tools > Preferences > General and check the box for “Automatically capitalize words.” Then, press OK.


Suggestions for capitalization in Docs
- common names of people
- well-known places
- days of the week and months of the year
The capitalization suggestion feature in Google Docs has limitations. It does not offer capitalization suggestions for brand names. Also, if you add punctuation after a proper noun (such as a weekday, month, city or state), the capitalization feature does not work. Yet, if you add a space behind a proper noun, the capitalization suggestion feature does work. So, be aware of these limitations.

Capitalization formatting in Docs
In Google Docs, you have the ability to select text and choose the capitalization format. The choices are lowercase, uppercase, or title case.
- Select a word or group of words.
- Click Format in the menu.
- Then, select Text.
- Choose Capitalization.
- Select title case to capitalize the first letter of the word(s).

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Additional assistance with writing conventions
- Spelling and grammer autocorrect and checkers
- Word prediction
- Speech recognition
- Text-to-speech to hear words spoken to listen for errors
- Peer review using a comment feature or suggested edits feature
- Digital dictionary
Resources: Other capitalization checkers
CapitalizationChecker.com – Online capital letter checker. Paste your writing into a window and run the checker. Free for basic features.
Grammarly – Digital tool that identifies errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation and provides suggestions for correction. Browser extension. Free for basic features.
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