The formula bar in Excel 2013 is a powerful tool that lets you view and edit formulas or cell content easily. But sometimes, especially when working on dashboards, presentations, data entry sheets, or when you simply want a cleaner interface, hiding the formula bar can create more space and make your worksheet look more professional.
If you’re looking for a simple, clear, and SEO-optimized guide on how to hide the formula bar in Excel 2013, this article covers everything you need—from step-by-step instructions to tips, shortcuts, and troubleshooting.
What Is the Formula Bar in Excel 2013?
The formula bar is located at the top of the Excel worksheet, right below the ribbon. It displays the active cell’s content, including numbers, text, and formulas.
While useful, it can take up extra screen space, especially on smaller monitors. That’s why many users prefer hiding it temporarily.
Why You Might Want to Hide the Formula Bar
There are several reasons to hide the formula bar in Excel 2013:
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✔ You want more space to view large worksheets
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✔ You are creating dashboards or user-input forms
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✔ You want a clean, distraction-free interface
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✔ You’re presenting data to clients or teams
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✔ You want to hide formulas from casual users
No matter the reason, Excel 2013 provides a very quick way to toggle the formula bar on or off.
How to Hide the Formula Bar in Excel 2013
Hiding the formula bar in Excel 2013 is extremely simple. Here’s the exact method:
🔧 Method 1: Hide the Formula Bar Using the View Tab
This is the most common method.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Open Excel 2013 and load the worksheet you’re working on.
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Go to the View tab located at the top of the screen.
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In the Show group, you will see a checkbox labeled Formula Bar.
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Uncheck the Formula Bar option.
Once unchecked, the formula bar will disappear instantly.
✔ Pros
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Very easy to access
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Allows quick toggling
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Doesn’t affect other settings
🔧 Method 2: Hide the Formula Bar Through Excel Options
This method is ideal if you want the formula bar hidden by default.
Steps:
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Click the File tab.
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Select Options from the left panel.
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In the new window, click Advanced.
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Scroll down until you reach the Display section.
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Uncheck the option Show formula bar.
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Click OK to apply changes.
This permanently hides the formula bar until you manually enable it again.
✔ Pros
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Ideal for long-term customization
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Suitable for shared or repeated-use workbooks
🔧 Method 3: Hide the Formula Bar Using Excel Shortcut (Quick Access Toolbar)
Excel does not have a direct keyboard shortcut for hiding the formula bar, but you can create your own shortcut by adding the command to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT).
How to Add It:
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Click the downward arrow on the QAT (top-left corner).
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Select More Commands.
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In the “Choose commands from” dropdown, pick All Commands.
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Scroll down and find Formula Bar.
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Click Add → OK.
Now you can toggle the formula bar with one click from the QAT.
How to Show the Formula Bar Again in Excel 2013
To bring it back, follow the same steps and simply check the Formula Bar option again:
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View → Show → Formula Bar
or -
File → Options → Advanced → Show formula bar
Common Issues When Hiding the Formula Bar
1. The Formula Bar Option Is Greyed Out
This usually happens when:
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You’re in Full Screen Mode
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The workbook is protected
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You’re using a shared workbook
Fix:
Press Esc to exit full-screen mode or adjust workbook protection settings.
2. Formula Bar Won’t Hide Even After Turning It Off
This can happen if Excel is stuck or the window layout is corrupted.
Fixes:
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Restart Excel
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Reset window layout from the View tab
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Run Excel in safe mode (press Ctrl while launching)
Tips for Working Without the Formula Bar
If you’re planning to keep the formula bar hidden for a long time, these tips may help:
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Use F2 to edit cell content directly.
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Use Status Bar features to monitor functions like Sum, Count, and Average.
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Use Cell Comments or Data Validation to guide users instead of formulas.
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Use Name Manager to keep formulas organized.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to hide the formula bar in Excel 2013 is a simple but powerful way to clean up your workspace, improve your layout, and create more user-friendly spreadsheets. Whether you are designing a dashboard or simply want a distraction-free screen, Excel gives you full control.
With the step-by-step methods above, you can hide or show the formula bar anytime you want in just a few clicks.
