LOWER Google Sheets Function [With Quiz]
In Google Sheets the LOWER function outputs the provided text with all lowercase characters.
LOWER Syntax
- text = the "text" or a cell reference to the text you want to convert to lowercase characters.
This function is useful for converting things that are usually lowercase case (like email addresses and website URLs) to a consistent format.
LOWER, in combination with functions like LEFT and RIGHT, can also be used to make part of some text lowercase.
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LOWER Function Example
A | B | C | |
1 | Text | Formula | Output |
2 | PACKAGING@DUNDERMIFFLIN.com | =LOWER(A2) | packaging@dundermifflin.com |
3 | www.DunderMifflin.com | =LOWER(A3) | www.dundermifflin.com |
4 | WUPHF.com | =LOWER(A4) | wuphf.com |
You can also reference text directly instead of using a cell reference:
Will output: packaging@dundermifflin.com
Using The LOWER Function On A Whole Column
By combining the LOWER function and the ArrayFormula function you can force LOWER to accept more than one argument.
This means you can make multiple cells lowercase, an entire column or row, or even a table with only one formula.
Here's an example using the same data as above:
A | B | C | |
1 | Text | Formula | Output |
2 | PACKAGING@DUNDERMIFFLIN.com | =ArrayFormula(LOWER(A2:A4)) | packaging@dundermifflin.com |
3 | www.DunderMifflin.com | www.dundermifflin.com | |
4 | WUPHF.com | wuphf.com |
All of the text is converted to lowercase characters using a single formula.
LOWER Errors
The LOWER function is very stable, handling the following without error:
- Blank cells,
- Numbers (returning them as text), and
- Boolean data (returning them as lowercase text)
If you input a range (e.g. A2:A4) without using ArrayFormula it will output one piece of lowercase text if the range crosses the same row or column as the formula's cell.
Otherwise, it will throw a #VALUE! error:
An array value could not be found.
LOWER Function Quiz
Here's a quick summary of how to use the quiz spreadsheet:
- Select the required cell while the formula bar is empty
- Type your answer in the formula bar
- You can click on the spreadsheet to add cell/range references
Complete all questions to solidify your understanding of the LOWER function.
A | B | C | |
1 | Text | Single | Column |
2 | PACKAGING@DUNDERMIFFLIN.com | ||
3 | www.DunderMifflin.com | ||
4 | WUPHF.com |
FREE RESOURCE
Google Sheets Cheat Sheet
12 exclusive tips to make user-friendly sheets from today:
You'll get updates from me with an easy-to-find "unsubscribe" link.