Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 12, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
When you first installed Excel (or Office), you were asked for a Product Key number, which should have been located on something or another associated with the product. For instance, the Product Key (sometimes called a CD Key) may have been on the outside of the CD case, or it could have been on the manual or some other piece of documentation.
If you were the one that did the installation, you may vaguely remember that once you correctly entered the information, the installation program displayed a Product ID code that you were told to write down. Chances are good that you didn't do this. (Who does? Even if I did write it down, I would probably lose the paper I wrote it on.)
The problem is, if you ever need to get technical support from Microsoft, you need to supply that Product ID code. Fortunately, there is a way you can discover the code again, without resorting to some yellowing piece of paper you may have written it on.
All you need to do is choose About Microsoft Excel from the Help menu Excel displays the About Microsoft Excel dialog box, and this dialog box contains your Product ID code. When you are done writing it down (again), click on the OK button to dismiss the dialog box.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2476) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2019 For Dummies today!
Ruminations and reflections about significant digits in Excel. Includes examples of how significant digits can affect the ...
Discover MoreExcel used to provide, prior to Excel 2002, an equal-sign tool near the Formula bar. If you miss this tool, you may want ...
Discover MoreOpen a workbook, look at the data, start to close the workbook, and you are asked if you want to save your changes. What ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments