Tasks for Each Workbook

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 1, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2000, 2002, and 2003


In the modern versions of Excel (with the exception of Excel 97), the program, by default, shows a task button on the Taskbar for each workbook you have open at the current time. If you prefer the older way of handling workbooks—one task button for Excel and then using the Window menu to switch between workbooks—you can follow these steps:

  1. Choose Options from the Tools menu. Excel displays the Options dialog box.
  2. Make sure the View tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)
  3. Figure 1. The View tab of the Options dialog box.

  4. Clear the Windows In Taskbar check box, in the upper-right corner of the dialog box.
  5. Click on OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2740) applies to Microsoft Excel 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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