Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Controlling Display of the Formula Bar.
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.
Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!
When you create a whole set of customizations for Excel, you may want to share them with others in your office or ...
Discover MoreThe various toolbars available in Excel are indispensable when it comes to easily accomplishing tasks. Here is a concise ...
Discover MoreWant to spice up your worksheets with your own custom colors? Here's how to define them easily.
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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments