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Enable/Disable Display of Formulas in Cells in Excel

Mitch BartlettFebruary 27, 2023 Comments (5)
Excel Header

In this tutorial, we will learn how to enable or prevent the showing formulas in the spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. Performing these steps won’t actually change the value of the cell. It will only allow you to view the formula within the cell.

For all Windows versions of Microsoft Excel, you can simply hold down the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard and press `. This key is called the “grave accent” and is usually located to the right of the number 1 on most keyboards. Here are some other methods you can use.

  1. Select the “Formulas” tab.
  2. Select the “Show Formulas” button in the “Formula Auditing” area.
    Show Formulas button in Excel 2010

FAQ

The “Show Formulas” and “Formula Auditing” area is missing from the Formulas tab. What do I do?

In Microsoft Outlook 2007 and higher, you can customize the ribbon. That means that the “Show Formulas” and “Formula Auditing” options can be removed, and not exist on your computer. You can often add it back by going to the “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” arrow, then choose “More Commands“.

Excel More Commands option

From there, you can choose “Customize Ribbon“, then add the “Formula Auditing” section anywhere you want it. You could also use the “Reset” button on this screen to reset your customization back to default settings.

Adding Show Formulas option to Excel ribbon

Categories: Office

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  1. Bal Gaire says:
    July 29, 2019 at 6:31 am

    1. When I enter word in cell one it reflect automatically in another.
    2. When I work in v lookup function it disable the Data tools from the excel.

  2. Bekki Toth says:
    October 29, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    I have to stop a formula on the 31st of oct and set it to start again on the 1st of november. This is Weds and Thursday of same week. How is the best way to do this?

  3. Shon says:
    July 30, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    Hey, Jerry in Texas. See if this works: On the View tab, under “Show” uncheck the Formula Bar.

  4. Shon says:
    July 30, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    Formulas show despite using the grave accent and the Show Formulas option in the Formula Auditing pane.

  5. J. Pousson says:
    June 23, 2018 at 11:36 am

    when I click a cell in Excel the formula often, but not always, displays in the cell and in the formula bar area.
    I find this very annoying and has caused frequent errors. I much prefer using the formula bar and need to find a way of not displaying formulas in both the cell and formula bar…I don’t recall this occurring in earlier work in Excel workbooks…Please help, I can not find a solution on the Internet.. The suggestion using CTRL+tilde key causes formulas to display over the entire worksheet and for me is useless…Thanks for any help you might share. Jerry in Texas

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My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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Last Updated on February 27, 2023 by Mitch Bartlett