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LOWER Function
Summary
The Excel LOWER function converts all uppercase letters in a text string to lowercase letters while preserving non-letter characters like numbers, punctuation, and spaces unchanged.
Syntax
LOWER(text)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| text | Text |
Yes | Text string to convert. Only uppercase letters are affected; numbers, symbols, and lowercase letters remain unchanged |
Using the LOWER Function
LOWER is perfect for standardizing text case across datasets, preparing data for comparisons, creating uniform display formats, or cleaning imported text data.
Common LOWER Examples
Basic Text Conversion
=LOWER("E. E. Cummings")Converts name to lowercase while preserving periods: "e. e. cummings"
Address Formatting
=LOWER("Apt. 2B")Converts address to lowercase: "apt. 2b"
Cell Reference
=LOWER(A1)Converts content of cell A1 to lowercase
Mixed Case Preservation
=LOWER("Hello123! World")Result: "hello123! world" - numbers and punctuation unchanged
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#VALUE! error
Cause: Non-text argument supplied
Solution: Ensure text parameter contains valid text or text-generating formula
No change in result
Cause: Input text was already lowercase
Solution: Verify input contains uppercase letters
Notes
- Available in all Excel versions including Excel 2007+
- Processes entire text strings regardless of length
- Case conversion is permanent - original text is not preserved
- Combine with UPPER and PROPER for complete case control
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Excel 365, Excel Online
Not available in:
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+