How to Show and Hide the Formula Bar in Excel – 3 Methods

This is an overview.

Before after of show and hide formula bar

 


How to Show the Formula Bar in Excel

Method 1 – Using the Ribbon

  • Click View tab and check Formula Bar in Show.
    Check the Formula Bar option in Excel

The Formula Bar will be visible.

Formula Bar Visible


Method 2 – Using the Excel Options

  • Click the File tab.Clicking the File tab
  • Select Options.Selecting Options from left pane
  • Go to Excel Options > Advanced > Display.
  • Select Show Formula Bar OK.Selecting show formula bar in Excel options

This is the output.

Showing formula bar using Excel Options

Method 3 – Applying Excel VBA

  • Go to the Developer tab and select Visual Basic.Opening Visual Basic
  • Choose Module in the Insert tab.Inserting new module
  • Enter the VBA code in the Module.
    Sub Show_FormulaBar()
    Application.DisplayFormulaBar = False
    End Sub
  • Run the VBA code by pressing F5.

This is the output.

Showing Formula Bar using VBA


How to Hide the Formula Bar in Excel?

Method 1 – Using the Ribbon

  • Click View tab.
  • In Show, uncheck Formula Bar.Unmarking formula bar in Excel

The Formula Bar will not be visible.

Formula Bar hidden


Method 2 – Using the Excel Options

  • Click the File tab.
  • Select Options.
  • Go to Excel Options > Advanced > Display.
  • Uncheck Show Formula Bar and click OK.Hiding formula bar using Excel Options

The Formula Bar won’t be visible.

Formula Bar hidden


Method 3 – Applying Excel VBA

  • Go to the Developer tab and select Visual Basic.Opening visual basic
  • Choose Module in the Insert tab.Inserting new module
  • Enter the VBA code in the Module.
    Sub Hide_FormulaBar()
    Application.DisplayFormulaBar = False
    End Sub
  • Run the code by pressing F5.

This is the output.

Hiding formula bar using VBA


How to Hide All Formulas in the Formula Bar in Excel

  • Select the cell range.
  • Go to the Review tab > Protect > Protect Sheet.Selecting protect sheet
  • Enter a password in Password to unprotect sheet: and click OK.Inserting new password
  • In the Confirm Password dialog box, reenter the password and click OK.Reenter password to protect

This is the output.
Formula is invisible

  • Double-click any cell in the column containing formulas.

There is no formula in the Formula Bar, but a message will be displayed:Warning message to enter password

  • To unprotect the worksheet, go to the Review tab and choose Unprotect Sheet.Unprotect sheet to show formula in formula bar
  • Enter the password and the sheet will be unprotected.

The Formula is displayed in the Formula Bar.

Formula is visible


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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut key for showing the Formula Bar in Excel?

The shortcut to show the Formula Bar is “Alt+W+V+F”. It also hides the Formula Bar.

How do I get the Formula Bar back in Excel?

Click File and go to Options. Click Advanced and in Display, select Show Formula Bar.

How do I collapse the Formula Bar in Excel?

Press Ctrl + Shift + U.


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Shamima Sultana
Shamima Sultana

Shamima Sultana, BSc, Computer Science and Engineering, East West University, Bangladesh, has been working with the ExcelDemy project for 2 years. She has written over 75+ articles and reviewed 1000+ articles for ExcelDemy. She has also led several teams with Excel VBA and Content Development works. Currently, she is working as the Project Manager and oversees the day-to-day work, leads the services team, allocates resources to the right area, etc. Her work and learning interests vary from Microsoft... Read Full Bio

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