The Microsoft Excel interface

You will find learning Excel (and other software) far easier if you can quickly learn the names of all the parts of the interface. Learning the names of the command buttons is simply a matter of using the ScreenTips and then doing loads of practice!

1. The whole shebang

Consult the list below the screenshot for the names of the numbered elements:

1. Title Bar
2. Minimise, Restore down/Maximise, Close buttons
3. Microsoft Search
   • replaces the Tell me what you want to do search bar
4. Signed in Profile
5. Name of workbook
6. Quick Access Toolbar
7. Ribbon tabs
8. Ribbon Group
9. Launcher
   • opens the Settings dialog for that Group, giving you access to all the settings for that aspect of the application
10. Name Box
    • Use to name a cell or range of cells
    • Use to navigate quickly to a Named range
11. Insert Function button
    • always use this when creating a function
12. Formula Bar
    • view the actual contents of a cell
    • edict contents of a cell
13. Column headings
14. Row headings
15. Worksheet tabs
16. New Sheet button
    • add a blank new worksheet to the workbook
17. Status Bar
18. Vertical scroll bar
19. Horizontal scroll bar
20. View buttons
    • Normal
    • Page Layout
    • Page Break Preview
21. Zoom control
22. Selected cell

2. Pinning your ribbon

Users often “unpin” their ribbons by mistake. Below are the steps to “re-pin” your ribbon:

1. Click on the Home tab (any tab will do) to expand the ribbon
2. Click on the Ribbon Display Options
3. Select the Always show Ribbon option

3. Customizations

It is well worth spending time customising the interface once you become an expert user. Even the smallest customisation can save you time.

3.1 Ribbon & Quick Access Toolbar

See the post Customize the Ribbon in a Microsoft Office App.

3.2 Menu tabs

See the post “Hello World!” with Excel VBA to learn how to activate additional Menu tabs.

3.3 Worksheet tabs

An Excel workbook has at least one worksheet. You can add more as needed — up to 255 on one workbook!

3.3.1 Tab colors

You can modify the background colour of the worksheet tabs by right-clicking on a tab, selecting the Tab color option and then clicking on a colour of your choice.

3.3.2 Re-ordering tabs

You can left-click drag tabs to re-order the worksheets in a workbook.

You can also right-click on a tab and select the Move or Copy… option.

4. Next steps

Your next goal should be mastering navigation techniques in Excel.