LOWER function
LOWER converts every letter in a text string to lowercase and leaves numbers and symbols alone. It's the standard fix for email addresses, usernames and codes that arrive in mixed case and need to look consistent.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Text functions
- Returns
- The same text in lowercase.
- Google Sheets
- Works the same in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=LOWER(text)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
text | Required | The text or cell to convert. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | =LOWER(A2) | maya.chen@acme.com | A mixed-case email, normalized |
| D3 | =LOWER(B3)&"@"&LOWER(C3) | rpatel@globex.io | A clean address built from two parts |
| D4 | =LOWER(A4)=LOWER("LEE.WONG@initech.net") | TRUE | Comparing two entries after lowercasing both |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Email (as typed) | Username | Domain | Result |
| Maya.Chen@Acme.COM | MChen | ACME.COM | maya.chen@acme.com |
| RAJ.PATEL@acme.com | RPatel | Globex.io | rpatel@globex.io |
| lee.wong@Initech.NET | LWong | INITECH.net | TRUE |
Practice LOWER
From lesson 15, Cleaning messy data. Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Clean emails
D2, remove the stray spaces and make each email lowercase. Fill down to D6.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Lookups still fail after LOWER | Lookups and COUNTIF already ignore case, so the real problem is usually extra spaces. Use LOWER(TRIM(A2)). |
| The original column doesn't change | A formula can't edit another cell. Put LOWER in a helper column, then copy it and use Paste Values over the original if you need to replace it. |
Tips
- Use EXACT when case matters. The = sign and lookups treat "ABC" and "abc" as equal.
Questions
How do I change text to lowercase in Excel?
Type =LOWER(A2) in an empty column, fill it down, then copy the results and paste them as values over the original. Flash Fill (Ctrl+E) can also do it from one typed example.
Is there a shortcut to change case in Excel?
No. Unlike Word's Shift+F3, Excel has no case shortcut. Use LOWER, UPPER or PROPER, or Flash Fill.
Lessons that use LOWER
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.