You can insert a lot of interactive controls in an Excel worksheet using the Excel developer tab.
These interactive controls (such as a check box, radio button, combo box, scroll bars) are quite useful when you are creating interactive workbooks or excel dashboards.
But there is a possibility that you may not have the Developer tab available in the ribbon. If that happens, don’t panic – and keep reading how to get the developer tab.
Excel Developer Tab.. Where to Find it?
Don’t worry if you can’t find the Excel developer tab in the ribbon.
Since it is not something that most of the beginner Excel users need on a daily basis (some might), Excel team has it disabled as a default setting.
Before you can use it, you need to enable it.
How to Get the Excel Developer Tab Show Up in the Ribbon
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to get the Excel developer tab in the ribbon.
Below are the steps for getting it in Excel 2013.
While the screenshots are of Excel 2013, the process is the same in Excel 2007 or 2010.
- Right-click on any of the existing tabs in the ribbon and select Customize the Ribbon. It will open the Excel Options dialogue box.
- In the Excel Options dialogue box, you will have the Customize the Ribbon options. On the right, within the Main Tabs pane, check the Developer option.
- Click OK.
Now you will have ‘Developer’ displayed as one of the tabs.
Once available, you can use this tab to access all the options within it.
Alternate Method to Get Developer Tab in Excel Ribbon
There is another way you can get the Developer tab in the Excel ribbon.
Here are the steps:
- Go to File –> Options.
- In the Excel Options dialogue box, click on Customize Ribbon in the left pane. It will show the Customize the Ribbon options on the right.
- On the right, within the Main Tabs pane, check the Developer option.
- Click OK.
This will make the developer tab appear in the ribbon in Excel.
Also read: How to Remove Macros From Excel
Options Available in the Excel Developer Tab
Here are some of the useful advanced options available in the Excel Developer tab:
- The Macro Options: There is a ‘Code’ group in the developer tab that gives you access to many macro options (such as going to the VB Editor, getting a list of all macros in the workbook, record and run the macros, and change macro security.
- Add-ins: The Add-ins options allow you to manage inbuilt add-ins as well as new add-ins that you might have added.
- Interactive Controls: The Control group gives you access to all the form and Active-X controls that you can use to insert interactive tools such as a scrollbar, combo boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, etc.
You May Also Like the following Related Tutorials:
- Create Groups in Quick Access Toolbar in Excel.
- How to get the Developer Tab in the Ribbon Word 2013.
- Excel VBA Loops- The Ultimate Guide.
- How to Use Excel VBA Immediate Window
- Excel VBA MsgBox [Message Box]
- Visual Basic Editor – How to Open and Use it in Excel
- How to Hide or Show Formula Bar in Excel?
- How to Customize the Ribbon in Excel (Step-by-Step)
- How to Show or Hide the Ribbon in Excel?
8 thoughts on “How to Get the Excel Developer Tab Show Up in the Ribbon”
Does this work in Cloud version of excel where people can edit real time?
It worked for me, and it extremely helpful Thanks! I’m just amazed it is not something we can just turn on it Excel under options. It seems ridiculous that they removed the automatic highlight of the active row during the last(?) upgrade. Is there anyway to get this feedback back to MS?
this was poor information. I never got excel to do what i wanted despite reading these directions many times
I’ve been away from VBA programming in Excel for a few years and didn’t even have Excel during that time. Decided to get back into programming basically for myself and friends and family. Bought the stand alone Excel for $130 a few hrs ago and went looking for the Developer’s tab or any access route into my VBA program. I even went to Microsoft for some help and tried several attempt on the net to find out how to connect again with my macros created with VBA. No luck, not on the net, not at three different connects with Microsoft help…but FINALLY…your site and God be praised. I found EXACTLY what I needed to reestablish my connect with VBA thru Excel. I have forgotten much, but this is a good start…now.
Thank you for this site.
how can i create a work book for data entry and result upload using excel work.book ?
Oh I got it. That ks
Unable to apply in 7
Hi Amit.. you mean 2007 right? For enabling the Developer tab in 2007 go to
Options –> Popular –> Show Developer tab in the Ribbon