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Where is the Developer Tab in Excel??? (with pictures)

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You want to create a macro or a form in Excel and all the instructions you find tell you to go to the Developer tab. Except, you can’t find it! Where is the Developer tab in Excel???

If you don’t see the Developer tab, don’t panic, it just means that you need to enable it. And it takes only a few steps to do so.

What is the Developer tab in Excel?

But, first, what is the Developer tab in Excel? And why is it so important??

The Developer tab contains the developer tools.

These include advanced commands for working with macros, using form controls, and writing code.

Developer Tab in Excel (image)
Developer Tab in Excel

How to Add the Developer Tab in Excel

To add the Developer tab, you will need to activate it via your Excel Options.

Skip to the Steps to Add the Developer tab

There are a couple of ways you can get to your Excel Options:

  1. From the File tab
  2. By right-clicking on your Excel Ribbon

1. Access Excel Options from the File tab on your sheet

  • You’ll find your Excel Options in the File tab.
File tab in Excel
File tab in Excel
  • From the list of items, click on Options.
Excel File tab Selections
Excel File tab Selections – Choose “Options”

2. Right-click on the Excel Ribbon to Customize It

  1. Place your cursor anywhere in the body of your Ribbon (not along the tab names)
  2. Right-click and select Customize the Ribbon
Right-click on the Ribbon Area
Right-click anywhere on the body of the Ribbon Area – Select “Customize the Ribbon”

This will open the Customize Ribbon tab of your Excel Options.

Steps to Add the Developer Tab to your Excel Ribbon

How to add the Developer tab in Excel:

  1. Open your Excel Options

  2. From the options on the left side, select “Customize Ribbon“

  3. On the drop-down labeled “Choose Commands From,” select “Main Tabs“

  4. Select “Developer“

  5. Click “Add” to add it, then click OK

    Steps to Add the Developer Tab in Excel

Now you’re ready to write your first macro!


FYI, this was created using the desktop version of Excel in Microsoft 365.

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About Y. Acosta

Yil's (pronounced like "Jill") passion for Excel spreadsheets can be traced back to her days in marketing, where she spent significant time working on analytics. As a content creator, she now specializes in Excel spreadsheet tutorials. Make sure to visit the About page to learn more.

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