eddied,

Data Validation can ensure that you use only two characters, and also that
only valid state abbreviations are used. It seems quite perfect for your
requirement. the following formula, used in Data - Validation - Custom,
will ensure that only entries in your list are used, and that they've been
entered as uppercase:

=AND(OR(CODE(A1)=CODE($B$1:$B$50)))

The list of valid abbreviations is in B1:B50. Change the formula as needed.
Change the A1 to the active (white) cell of your selection for validation.

If you want it to change a lowercase entry to upper automatically, it will
require a macro. You could possibly use AutoCorrect but might have
interactions with ordinary text, and it would apply to other Office programs
(Word, etc.)
--
Earl Kiosterud
mvpearl omitthisword at verizon period net
-------------------------------------------

"eddied" wrote in message
...
I'm building an invoice template for my own use (self employed trade). I
want a cell to be a properly formated 2-letter state abbreviation in caps
no
matter how I enter it. I suppose that will involving limiting the length
ot
the text to 2 letters and performing some action to capitalize the text if
necessary. I don't know if the best way to do this is with a macro or
some
other way. I think I would prefer a macro to automatically capitalize all
letters in the cell after the text is entered no matter how exited (enter,
tab, mouse click).
I'll settle for the capitalization if the 2-letter limit is too hard.
I know I could do a data validation list, but I'd rather not.

Thanks