Controlling Display of the Formula Bar

The Formula Bar is the area at the top of the Excel window, just below the ribbon area or the Formatting toolbar, depending on your version of Excel. The Formula Bar has two parts: at the left is the Name Box, and to the right is the contents of the currently selected cell.

If you need more room to view a worksheet, or you don't need the information provided by the Formula Bar, you can turn it off. To control display of the Formula Bar, follow these steps if you are using Excel 2007:

1. Click the Office button and then click Excel Options. Excel displays the Excel Options dialog box.
2. At the left side of the dialog box click Advanced.
3. Scroll down until you see the Display options. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Click on the Show Formula Bar check box. If it is selected, then the Formula Bar is displayed; not selected means it won't be displayed.
5. Click on OK.

If you are using an older version of Excel, follow these steps:

1. Choose Options from the Tools menu. You will see the Options dialog box.
2. Make sure the View tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Click on the Formula Bar check box. If it is selected, then the Formula Bar is displayed; not selected means it won't be displayed.
4. Click on OK.

You can also use the Formula Bar option from the View tab of the ribbon or from the View menu. This option functions like a toggle—click on it once, and the Formula Bar disappears; click again, and it reappears.