LOWER
Text
Converts all letters in a text string to lowercase.
Translations
EnglishLOWER
FrenchMINUSCULE
SpanishMINUSC
GermanKLEIN
ItalianMINUSC
PortugueseMINÚSCULA
DutchKLEINE.LETTERS
PolishLITERY.MAŁE
RussianСТРОЧН
TurkishKÜÇÜKHARF
CzechMALÁ
HungarianKISBETŰS
SwedishGEMENER
DanishSMÅ.BOGSTAVER
FinnishPIENI
Syntax
LOWER(text)Arguments
textThe text to convert to lowercase
Examples
=LOWER("HELLO")hello
Converts to all lowercase
=LOWER(A1)lowercase A1
Lowercases cell content
=LOWER(A1)=LOWER(B1)TRUE/FALSE
Case-insensitive comparison
Tips & Best Practices
- •Non-letter characters are unchanged
- •Use for case-insensitive comparisons
- •Use UPPER for all uppercase
Common Mistakes
- •Expecting LOWER to standardize inconsistent spacing or spelling along with the case - it only changes letter case
- •Forgetting the original cell isn't modified, so formulas or lookups referencing the source still see the original casing
- •Using LOWER on only one side of a case-sensitive comparison like EXACT, instead of applying it to both sides
Related Functions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I still see the original capitalization after using LOWER?
LOWER creates a new lowercase value in the formula cell - it doesn't change the source cell's actual content.
Is LOWER useful before comparing two text values?
Most Excel comparisons are already case-insensitive, but applying LOWER to both sides makes it explicit, and it's essential before EXACT, which is case-sensitive.
Does LOWER work on numbers?
Numbers pass through unaffected since there's no letter case to change, though the result becomes text.
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