The content area in the Excel workbook is generally small. The ribbon area occupies the top portion of excel containing tool icons and text descriptions for each menu tabs. When you have a larger excel sheets, you should get rid of the ribbon area to get convenient space. It also makes sense to show or hide that ribbon when you needed. In this article let us discuss how to show or hide ribbon in Excel on Windows and MacBook.
Though we have explained with Excel, all these tricks will work on all Microsoft Office applications like Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Related: How to change the embedded file name in Office documents?
Show or Hide Ribbon in Windows
1. Use Arrow Button
The easiest way is to click the small up arrow shown at the right end of the ribbon. This will hide the ribbon showing all the menu items, thus allowing to have some visible area for cells.
2. Right Click and Hide Ribbon
Just right click anywhere on the ribbon area and choose “Collapse the Ribbon” option. This will do the same function as the arrow button and hide the ribbon.
3. Use Shortcut Keys
Well, you have a problem in using that small arrow. Once hide the ribbon, the arrow will also disappear as it is also part of the ribbon. Now that you need breaking your head to enable the ribbon again as you need those menu options. The same problem exists with right clicking and collapsing the ribbon.
Here comes the use of handy shortcut keys. Simply press “Ctrl + F1” keys to toggle the ribbon on or off. This means you can hide and show the ribbon by pressing these shortcut keys. We recommend to use this shortcut keys instead of using the arrow or right click to hide ribbon. This should also work on Word, PowerPoint and all Microsoft applications.
4. Auto Hide Ribbon
You can also automatically hide the ribbon and show only when you click on the top bar. Click on the arrow button showing next to minimize icon. Choose “Auto-hide Ribbon” option.
Now that the ribbon will disappear and you will the excel like a full screen mode. If you want to enable the ribbon again, click on the three dots in the top bar which will show the ribbon temporarily.
For permanently enabling it back, click on the arrow button again and choose either “Show Tabs” or “Show Tabs and Commands” option.
5. Pin the Ribbon
The last option is to pin your ribbon. Follow the below steps to pin the ribbon on excel:
- Press “Control + F1” to hide the ribbon first.
- Click on any of the menu items to view the ribbon again.
- Now you will see a small pin icon at the lower right corner of the ribbon.
- Click on it and pin the ribbon. This will ensure the ribbon is always there when you work on that spreadsheet.
Customize Ribbon in Windows
Right click on the ribbon area and choose “Customize the Ribbon” option. You will see “Excel Option” popup showing options for “Customize Ribbon” section.
There are two drop-downs in the right pane, “Choose commands from” and “Customize the Ribbon”. Choose the required items and move to the needed tabs. You can also enable, disable, reorder and regroup the tabs. If something goes wrong click “Reset all customizations” from the “Customizations” dropdown to set the ribbon back to initial settings.
Related: How to fix slow Excel?
Show or Hide Ribbon in Excel Mac
Similar to Windows, you can use shortcuts and customize the ribbon appearance in Mac also.
1. Toggle Ribbon in Excel Mac with Shortcut Keys
Simply press ‘Command + Option + R’ shortcut keys to toggle the ribbon on Excel. This means ribbon will show when you press the shortcut keys first time and then will be hidden if you press second time.
2. Use Arrow to Hide or Show Ribbon
Another easiest way in Mac is to click on the arrow nearer to right corner. This arrow will show up when the ribbon is visible and show down when the ribbon is hidden. Click on it to show or hide the ribbon as you need.
3. Turn Off Ribbon from Excel Preferences
You can permanently turn off ribbon on your Excel to have some space. Press “Command + ,” keys or go to “Excel > Preferences…” menu. Click on “Ribbon” option in the preferences dialog box.
On the Ribbon dialog box, uncheck “Turn on the ribbon” box. Also remember “Command + Option + R” shortcut keys will work on Mac Excel, only if you have turned on Ribbon in preferences.
4. Hide Ribbon When Workbook Opens
Another option is to hide the ribbon whenever a new workbook is opened. For enabling this option, go to Excel Ribbon preferences and uncheck the option ‘Expand ribbon when workbook opens’. After opening the workbook, you can toggle the ribbon appearance either using the arrow or with shortcut keys.
You can also click on the gear icon and go to ribbon preferences directly.
Related: Convert row to column and columns to rows in Excel.
5. Click on Menu in Excel Office 365
If you are suing Excel with Office 365 subscription on your Mac then simply click on the menu item to toggle the ribbon.
Customize Ribbon in Mac
Similar to Windows Excel, you can also customize the tab orders in Mac by choosing “Customize Ribbon Tab Order” option from the gear icon. You can change the order and rearrange the icon tools for your convenience.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.