Using the LOWER() and UPPER() MySQL Functions

Return rows for a column case insensitive

It is common practice to make a column case insensitive to ensure that you return all of the desired rows. 

SELECT *
FROM  Courses
WHERE  LOWER(education_delivery_method)  = 'classroom'     

Display a column in uppercase

You can use either the MySQL UPPER() or LOWER() functions to format columns in your SQL SELECT.

SELECT 
  UPPER(firstname),
  lastname
FROM Students   
LIMIT 10   

Format a column using Upper and Lower functions

It is possible to use the MySQL LOWER() and UPPER() functions in conjunction with the SUBSTRING() function to accomplish different types of formatting.

SELECT 
  CONCAT(UPPER(SUBSTRING(lastname,1,1)),LOWER(SUBSTRING(lastname,2,29))) AS 'Name'
FROM Students
LIMIT 10

Update a group of rows changing case

It is possible to use the MySQL UPPER() or LOWER() functions in conjunction with an update statement to change the "case" of a group of rows.

START TRANSACTION
GO

UPDATE Students
SET    lastname  = UPPER(lastname) 
WHERE  lastname LIKE 'Jones%'  
GO

COMMIT 
GO