How To Change Uppercase To Lowercase In Microsoft Excel?

Method 2: Flash Fill feature to change text to lowercase

The Flash Fill feature in Excel provides a quick way to convert case without the need for formulas or additional tools. Flash Fill is available in Excel 2013 and later versions. It is especially suited for one-time conversions or smaller datasets where you want to apply a consistent pattern based on an initial example.

1. Insert a new blank column next to your data. In the first cell of this new column (for example, B2), manually type the lowercase version of your original text next to the uppercase value. This first entry will serve as a sample pattern for Excel to recognize.

2. With your pattern cell selected, go to the Home tab, then click Fill > Flash Fill. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + E. Excel will automatically detect the pattern and fill down the column, converting all matching text entries to lowercase format:

Notes:

• To convert text to UPPERCASE using Flash Fill, just type your first example as all uppercase, and trigger Flash Fill in the same way.
• To capitalize the first letter of each word (Proper Case), enter it as such in the first cell, then let Flash Fill apply the transformation.
• Flash Fill works best when data is consistently formatted and directly adjacent to your pattern column. For inconsistent or complex cases, consider using formulas instead to ensure accuracy.

If Flash Fill does not trigger as expected, check that the feature is enabled under File > Options > Advanced > Automatically Flash Fill. Also, Flash Fill results are static values, which means they won’t auto-update if the original data changes.

Method 3: VBA code to change text to lowercase

For advanced users or when automating repetitive tasks, VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) enables you to convert text to lowercase directly within the selected cells—overwriting the original entries. Using VBA is particularly helpful for processing large data ranges or integrating case-changing steps into larger automation scripts.

1. Press Alt + F11 to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor window.

2. In the VBA editor, click Insert > Module, and paste the following VBA code into the new module window.

VBA code: Change text strings to lowercase:

Sub LCase()
Dim Rng As Range
Dim WorkRng As Range
On Error Resume Next
xTitleId = "KutoolsforExcel"
Set WorkRng = Application.Selection
Set WorkRng = Application.InputBox("Range", xTitleId, WorkRng.Address, Type:=8)
For Each Rng In WorkRng
    Rng.Value = VBA.LCase(Rng.Value)
Next
End Sub

3. Press the F5 key or click the Run button to execute the macro. When prompted, select the range of cells in which you want to convert text case, and click OK:

4. After confirming, all text within the selected cells will be instantly converted to lowercase:

Notes:

Sub UCase()
Dim Rng As Range
Dim WorkRng As Range
On Error Resume Next
xTitleId = "KutoolsforExcel"
Set WorkRng = Application.Selection
Set WorkRng = Application.InputBox("Range", xTitleId, WorkRng.Address, Type:=8)
For Each Rng In WorkRng
    Rng.Value = VBA.UCase(Rng.Value)
Next
End Sub

Sub ProperCase()
Dim Rng As Range
Dim WorkRng As Range
On Error Resume Next
xTitleId = "KutoolsforExcel"
Set WorkRng = Application.Selection
Set WorkRng = Application.InputBox("Range", xTitleId, WorkRng.Address, Type:=8)
For Each Rng In WorkRng
    Rng.Value = Application.WorksheetFunction.Proper(Rng.Value)
Next
End Sub

VBA macros are powerful, but always save your work before running code—as the changes cannot be automatically undone. Macros must be enabled in your security settings. If you encounter a “Macros are disabled” warning, adjust your Macro Settings under File > Options > Trust Center.

Method 4: Kutools for Excel to change text to lowercase

If you use Kutools for Excel, the Change Case tool streamlines the process of converting case in your spreadsheet. This approach stands out for its speed and flexibility—allowing you to alter multiple text styles in just a few clicks, without needing formulas or programming skills. Kutools offers batch processing for large datasets and additional case formatting options to suit different needs.

1. Highlight or select the cells you want to change. Then go to the Kutools tab, click Text in the toolbar, and choose Change Case from the drop-down menu:

2. In the Change Case dialog box, select the lower case option, then click OK or Apply. Instantly, all text in the selected cells will be converted to lowercase as shown:

Kutools for Excel also preserves formats, handles non-standard characters well, and allows reversal of changes using Excel's Undo feature. This method is recommended for users who frequently need to modify case formatting and desire an intuitive, visual interface.

Alternative Solutions: Using Excel Power Query and Find & Replace

Besides the common methods above, there are alternative approaches that may fit your workflow when converting uppercase text to lowercase in Excel.

Using Power Query: For users working with Excel 2016 or later, Power Query provides a robust data transformation platform that can efficiently manage large datasets and automate case conversion.

1. Open your worksheet and select your data range. Then, go to the Data tab and click From Table/Range to load your data into Power Query Editor. (If prompted, confirm your data has headers.)
2. In the Power Query Editor, select the column you wish to convert. From the Transform tab, click Format > lowercase.

   

3. Go to the Home tab, click Close & Load > Close and Load to.
4. In the Import Data dialog box, select Existing worksheet option, choose a destination cell, and click OK.
   This will create a new query-based table showing the transformed results, rather than modifying your original data directly.
5. If you want to overwrite your original dataset, copy the result table and use Paste Spacial > Values (as described in Method 1) to paste the transformed data over the original range.

Power Query is best when dealing with recurring data updates or larger imports, as it enables efficient data transformation, reproducibility, and automation. However, it creates a new query-based table rather than editing your original data in place.

Each method has its own strengths—choose one based on your dataset size, the need for repeatability, familiarity with Excel features, and whether you prefer built-in or add-in tools.