Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 20, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
The Formula Bar is the area at the top of the Excel window, just below the ribbon area. 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:
Figure 1. The View tab of the Options dialog box.
You can also use the Formula Bar option from the View menu. This option functions like a toggle—click on it once, and the Formula Bar disappears; click again, and it reappears.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2729) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Controlling Display of the Formula Bar.
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