totitle

This page explains how to use the totitle function in APL.

The totitle function converts a string to title case, capitalizing the first character. Use this function to format display strings, normalize names, or create human-readable output from log data.

For users of other query languages

If you come from other query languages, this section explains how to adjust your existing queries to achieve the same results in APL.

Splunk SPL users

In Splunk SPL, title case conversion typically requires custom functions. APL’s totitle provides this functionality natively.

Splunk example

| eval titlecase=upper(substr(field,1,1)).lower(substr(field,2))

['sample-http-logs']
| extend titlecase = totitle(field)

ANSI SQL users

In ANSI SQL, title case conversion varies by database. APL’s totitle provides standardized title case conversion.

SQL example

SELECT INITCAP(field) AS titlecase FROM logs;

['sample-http-logs']
| extend titlecase = totitle(field)

Usage

Syntax

totitle(value)

Parameters

Name	Type	Required	Description
value	string	Yes	The input string to convert to title case.

Returns

Returns the input string with the first character capitalized.

Use case examples

Log analysis

Format HTTP methods and status codes for human-readable reports.

Query

['sample-http-logs']
| extend formatted_method = totitle(tolower(method))
| summarize request_count = count() by formatted_method, status
| sort by request_count desc
| limit 10

Run in Playground

Output

formatted_method	status	request_count
Get	200	5432
Post	201	2341
Get	404	1987

This query formats HTTP methods in title case, making reports and dashboards more professional and easier to read.

OpenTelemetry traces

Format service names for display in monitoring dashboards.

Query

['otel-demo-traces']
| extend display_name = totitle(['service.name'])
| summarize span_count = count(), avg_duration = avg(duration) by display_name
| sort by span_count desc
| limit 10

Run in Playground

Output

display_name	span_count	avg_duration
Frontend	4532	125ms
Checkout	3421	234ms
Cart	2987	89ms

This query formats service names in title case for cleaner presentation in monitoring dashboards and reports.

List of related functions

• tolower: Converts strings to lowercase. Use this before totitle for consistent formatting.
• toupper: Converts strings to uppercase. Use this for fully capitalized output.
• replace_string: Replaces strings. Use this with case functions for text transformation.
• strcat: Concatenates strings. Use this with totitle to build formatted messages.