The fastest way: use the Format menu

Open your document in Microsoft Word and select the text you want to change. Highlight it by clicking and dragging, or triple-click a paragraph to select the whole thing. Then go to the Home tab at the top, find the Aa button (it looks like a capital and lowercase letter), click the small arrow next to it, and choose lowercase from the menu that appears.

This method works on any version of Word — desktop, online, or Mac. The text converts instantly. If you change your mind, press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo.

Key Takeaways

  • The Aa button on the Home tab is the quickest route; click the arrow next to it and select lowercase.
  • You must select the text first — Word will not change text you have not highlighted.
  • Word offers five case options: lowercase, UPPERCASE, Capitalize Each Word, tOGGLE cASE, and Sentence case.
  • The Format menu method works the same way in Word Online, Word for Mac, and Word on Windows.
  • If you make a mistake, Ctrl+Z undoes the change instantly.

Where to find the text case button

The Aa button sits in the ribbon at the top of Word, on the Home tab. It is usually near the middle-right of the toolbar, grouped with other text formatting options like bold and italic. The button itself shows a capital A and lowercase a stacked together.

If you do not see it, make sure you are on the Home tab — it is the first tab on the left. If the ribbon is collapsed, click the arrow at the far right of the toolbar to expand it and see all the buttons.

What happens when you select different case options

Word gives you five choices when you click the arrow next to the Aa button. Lowercase converts everything to small letters. UPPERCASE converts everything to capitals. Capitalize Each Word makes the first letter of every word capital. Sentence case capitalizes only the first letter of each sentence. tOGGLE cASE flips whatever case each letter already has — capitals become lowercase and lowercase become capitals.

Choose the one that matches what you need. Most people use lowercase or Capitalize Each Word. If you pick the wrong one, undo it and try again.

Selecting text before you convert it

Word will only change text you have selected. Click at the start of the text you want to change, then drag to the end while holding the mouse button down. You will see the text highlight in blue. Let go of the mouse, and the selection stays active.

For a single word, double-click it. For a whole paragraph, triple-click anywhere in it. For all text in the document, press Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac). Once the text is highlighted, the Aa button will work on whatever you have selected.

Using the Format menu as an alternative

If you cannot find the Aa button or prefer using menus, you can reach the same options through the Format menu. Select your text first, then click Format at the top, scroll down to Text, and look for Change Case. The same five options appear, and you can click whichever one you need.

This route takes one extra step, but it works just as well. Some people find it easier to remember than hunting for the Aa button.

What to do if the change does not work

If you click the Aa button and nothing happens, the most common reason is that you did not select any text. Click somewhere in your document, then highlight the text you want to change and try again. Make sure the blue selection is visible before you click the button.

If the text is inside a table, a text box, or a header or footer, the process is the same — select the text and use the Aa button. Word treats all text the same way. If you still have trouble, undo the last action (Ctrl+Z) and start over with a fresh selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the case of text in a header or footer?

Yes. Double-click the header or footer area to open it for editing, select the text you want to change, and use the Aa button the same way you would in the main document. When you are done, click back in the main document to close the header or footer.

What if I want to change only part of a word?

Select only the letters you want to change. For example, if you have "HELLO world" and want "Hello world", click before the H, drag to after the O, and then use the Aa button to set it to lowercase. Only the selected letters change.

Does this work in Word Online?

Yes. Word Online has the same Aa button on the Home tab. Select your text and click the arrow next to it to see the case options. The process is identical to the desktop version.

Can I undo a case change if I change my mind?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) immediately after the change, and Word will revert the text to its original case. You can undo multiple times if you need to go back several steps.

What if my text is in all caps and I want only the first letter capitalized?

Select the text and use the Aa button to choose Sentence case. This will capitalize only the first letter of the first word and leave the rest lowercase. If you need the first letter of every word capitalized instead, choose Capitalize Each Word.