Subscribe

Lesson 5 of 104 2 min Updated Completed

How to Show the Developer Tab in Excel

The Developer tab holds the tools for recording macros, writing VBA code and inserting form controls such as checkboxes and buttons. Excel hides it by default, but it takes only a few clicks to turn on.

  1. Right-click anywhere on the Ribbon, then click Customize the Ribbon.

    Right-clicking the Excel Ribbon and choosing Customize the Ribbon

  2. On the right, under Customize the Ribbon, make sure Main Tabs is selected.

  3. Tick the Developer box.

    Ticking the Developer box under Main Tabs in Excel Options

  4. Click OK.

Result: the Developer tab now appears on the Ribbon, and it stays there each time you open Excel.

The Developer tab shown on the Excel Ribbon

You’ll use the Developer tab later in this chapter to insert a checkbox.