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: Using Check Boxes.
Many different dialog boxes and forms in the Windows world utilize check boxes. They are handy if you want to provide a way for a user to choose between two options, such as true or false; yes or no. Excel allows you to use check boxes in your worksheets, if desired.
For instance, you may have developed a financial projection worksheet in which you can either account for a particular acquisition or not. In this case, you might want to place a check box at the top of the worksheet. You can then link the status of this check box to another cell, so that if the check box is selected, the value of the cell is True; if it is not selected, the value of the cell is False.
To place a check box control in your worksheet, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Control tab of the Format Control dialog box.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3246) 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: Using Check Boxes.
Save Time and Supercharge Excel! Automate virtually any routine task and save yourself hours, days, maybe even weeks. Then, learn how to make Excel do things you thought were simply impossible! Mastering advanced Excel macros has never been easier. Check out Excel 2010 VBA and Macros today!
The Track Changes tool in Excel can be helpful, but it can also be aggravating because it doesn't allow you to use it on ...
Discover MoreWant to keep track of the changes other people make to your workbook or even your own changes? Excel makes gathering this ...
Discover MoreYou've turned on Highlight Changes, but how do you know what has been changed? This tip explains how Excel displays those ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2015-08-31 20:02:50
Frans
Dear Sirs,
In Excel 2003 Forms CheckBox, is it possible to change the checkbox colour, not the background colour or font colour but the check box inside colour which is always white?
Also can the tick mark symbol be changed to another symbol or removed altogether?
What I am after is to have the inside of the check box, lets say green when enabled and patterned green when disabled.
Thank you.
2015-06-10 17:21:11
Craig
I am creating an excel sheet for tipouts for a restaurant. Sometimes we have bussers on and sometimes we do not, what I would like to know since I've added the check boxes, how do I formulate them? I want it so when I do not have a busser on I click the checkbox off and the percentage goes from 4% to 3% of gross sales. This is the last part of my sheet I need to figure out, any help would be greatly appreciated.
2015-05-06 10:31:26
awyatt
The reason is because this tip is for older versions of Excel. For Excel 2010 you need to click the link (at the beginning or end of this tip) to get to the version that is for what you are using.
-Allen
2015-05-06 08:28:12
amir
In excel 2010, while right clicking inside the checkbox, under format contrl ,the tab control as mentioned in your screenshot does not appear?
What might be the reason?
Thanks,
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 © 2021 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