Fix Excel UPPER Function #NAME? Error on iPad
Question details
The user needs the UPPER function to convert a quoted text string to uppercase in Excel for iPad without returning a #NAME? error.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for iPad
- Device & OS
- iPad; OS version not provided
- Scenario
- Entering text directly into an UPPER formula rather than referencing a cell.
- Observed behavior
- The formula =UPPER(“abc”) returns #NAME?, while an UPPER formula that references a cell works correctly.
Select the formula cell and inspect the quotation marks in the formula bar. Text entered directly in a formula must use straight double quotation marks (") rather than curved smart quotes (“ ”).
Replace smart quotes with straight double quotation marks
Use this fix when UPPER works with a cell reference but returns #NAME? for text enclosed in quotation marks.
Excel uses straight double quotation marks to identify text strings. Curved smart quotes are not valid string delimiters, so Excel can interpret the text as an undefined name and return #NAME?.
In Excel for iPad, select the cell displaying #NAME? and tap the formula bar to edit =UPPER(“abc”).
Delete the curved quotation marks and enter straight double quotation marks so the formula reads =UPPER("abc").
Tap the checkmark to accept the formula. The cell should display ABC.
Use a cell reference to convert existing text to uppercase
Use a helper cell or column when the text is already in the worksheet, avoiding quotation marks entirely.
Work with uppercase text formulas in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative with a familiar spreadsheet interface and support for Excel .xlsx and .xls files, making migration straightforward. Use UPPER in WPS Spreadsheet to convert text to uppercase; it does not repair Excel for iPad or make smart quotes valid formula delimiters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does =UPPER(A1) work when =UPPER(“abc”) does not?
A cell reference does not need quotation marks. The quoted formula uses curved smart quotes, which Excel does not recognize as text delimiters. Edit it in the formula bar to read =UPPER("abc").
How do I stop my iPad from inserting smart quotes into formulas?
Open iPad Settings > General > Keyboard and turn off Smart Punctuation. Return to Excel and replace any existing curved quotes in the formula bar; changing the setting does not correct previously entered formulas.
Can UPPER change the text in the original cell?
Not directly. Enter =UPPER(A1) in a separate cell such as B1, copy the result, and use Paste Values over A1 if you want to replace the original text.
Do I need quotation marks around a cell reference in UPPER?
No. Use =UPPER(A1) to convert the contents of A1. Using =UPPER("A1") converts the literal text A1 instead of reading the cell.
