Stopping Help from Using Online Resources

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 11, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 2003

2

One of the changes introduced in Excel 2003 was a greater reliance by the program on online help systems. When you choose to display Excel's Help system and then search for information on a topic, by default Excel also returns help topics from the Web, specifically from Microsoft's Web sites.

You can, if desired, configure Excel 2003 so that it won't access any online information. To make this change, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Options from the Tools menu. Excel displays the Options dialog box.
  2. Make sure the General tab is displayed.
  3. Click Service Options. Excel displays the Service Options dialog box.
  4. In the Category list, choose Online Content. (See Figure 1.)

    5. Figure 1. The Service Options dialog box.

  5. Using the controls at the right side of the dialog box, specify how you want Excel to access (or not access) online content.
  6. Click OK to close the Service Options dialog box.
  7. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3047) applies to Microsoft Excel 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. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Creating a Log/Log Chart

If you need to create a chart that uses logarithmic values on both axes, it can be confusing how to get what you want. ...

Discover More

Looking Backward through a Data Table

Sometimes you need to look backward, through the information above your formula, to find the data you need. This can be ...

Discover More

Disabling #SPILL! Errors

In the newest version of Excel, a change in how formulas are calculated can cause havoc for some "older" formulas. Here ...

Discover More

Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!

More ExcelTips (menu)

Backing Up Your Customized Toolbars

After customizing your Excel toolbars, it is a good idea to make a backup of the file that contains the information. ...

Discover More

Viewing Workbook Statistics

Excel keeps track of a range of stats about each workbook you use. If you want to take a look at those stats, it's easy; ...

Discover More

Calculating Monthly Interest Charges

Trying to calculate how much people owe you? If you charge interest or service charges on past-due accounts, there are a ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four minus 4?

2022-06-13 17:32:32

Allen

I am showing them because there are (believe it or not) people still using VERY old versions of Excel.

And, I do state which versions the tip works with. See the very end of the tip where I say "This tip (3047) applies to Microsoft Excel 2003." Plus, at the top of the right column on the page, I indicate that ALL the tips on this site are for much older versions of Excel, and provide a link to tips for later versions.

-Allen

2022-06-13 17:26:23

Haig Johnson

Why are you showing tips for Excel 2003? At least acknowledge that the tip ONLY works on Excel 2003, or show how to accomplish the same on different versions.

This Site

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.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.