Datasheet
Hiding User Interface Elements
Excel has various options that enable you to hide quite a few elements in order to cus-
tomize your workspace. In some cases, you can change the display options in more than
one place. For each of the elements listed in this section, I show you the easiest Hide
method possible.
From the Ribbon
Change the following settings by using controls on the Ribbon:
•
Ruler: When your worksheet is in Page Layout view, use View ➪ Show/Hide ➪ Ruler to
toggle the display of the rulers at the top and left sides of the window. Turning off the
rulers gives you slightly more screen real estate.
•
Gridlines: When View ➪ Show/Hide ➪ Gridlines is not checked, cell gridlines are not
displayed. If you format ranges by using cell borders, turning off the gridlines makes the
borders more prominent.
•
Message Bar: The message bar appears directly above the formula bar and (as far as I
can tell) is present only if you open a workbook that triggers a security warning. Turn
off the message bar display by choosing View ➪ Show/Hide ➪ Message Bar.
•
Formula Bar: The formula bar, located just below the Ribbon, displays the contents of
the selected cell. To see more of your worksheet, turn it off by choosing View ➪ Show/
Hide ➪ Formula Bar.
•
Row & Column Headers: If this setting is turned off (by choosing View ➪ Show/
Hide ➪ Heading), you don’t see the row (numbers) and column (letters) headers.
•
Comments: If you use cell comments, you can choose to display a comment indicator (or
not) or display the comment and indicator. I use the second option, Comment Indicator
Only. These choices are on the Review ➪ Comments tab.
From the Keyboard
Modify the items below by using the keyboard.
•
The Ribbon: Press Ctrl+F1 to turn the Ribbon display off or on. In previous versions of
Excel, Ctrl+F1 toggles the Task pane.
•
Outline symbols: This option is relevant only if you added a worksheet outline (by using
the Data ➪ Outline ➪ Group command). If you don’t like seeing the Outline symbols,
you can turn them off. Or, you can press Ctrl+8 to toggle the display of the Outline
symbols.
Tip 15: Hiding User Interface Elements
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