Office Settings & Configuration

How to Reduce or Minimize the Ribbon in Excel 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to reduce the size of the Excel 365 ribbon or minimize it because it appears too large on their screen.

Product: Excel 365
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Adjusting the workspace layout to maximize the spreadsheet view area.
Observed behavior: The Excel 365 ribbon takes up too much screen space and needs to be minimized or scaled down.

Before you start

Before adjusting your system display scale, save any open work, as changing Windows 11 scale settings will affect the layout of all running applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Scale and Layout in Windows 11 Settings

Decrease your system's overall display scale to physically reduce the size of the Excel 365 ribbon.

Windows 11 allows you to change the scale of text, apps, and other items. Lowering this scaling percentage will make the Excel interface appear smaller, freeing up more room for your worksheet.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon, or press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.

Navigate to Display Settings

Click on 'System' in the left sidebar, then select 'Display' from the right pane.

Modify the Scaling Percentage

Scroll down to the 'Scale & layout' section. Click the dropdown menu next to 'Scale' and select a lower percentage, such as 100% or 125%, to make on-screen elements including the Excel ribbon smaller.

System-Wide Change: This display setting affects all applications on your computer, not just Microsoft Excel.

Solution 2

Minimize the Ribbon Using Excel Controls

Collapse the ribbon within Excel to only show the main tabs, freeing up maximum vertical space for your spreadsheet.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Cleaner, Customizable Workspace

If you find the Excel 365 ribbon too bulky and difficult to manage, WPS Office offers a sleek, lightweight, and highly customizable interface. It is a powerful, free alternative that ensures full compatibility with all your Microsoft Office files while providing an easy-to-use layout.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free desktop application for your operating system.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx files directly without any formatting loss.
3. Customize Your View: Use the arrow icon in the top right corner of the interface to easily hide or show the ribbon menu, maximizing your screen space.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Lightweight design with a clean, easily collapsible ribbon to maximize your workspace.Familiar user interface that requires zero learning curve.Free to download and use on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the keyboard shortcut to minimize the Excel ribbon?

You can quickly toggle the ribbon's visibility by pressing `Ctrl + F1` on your keyboard. Pressing it once will minimize the ribbon, and pressing it again will restore it to its full size.

Will changing my Windows scale setting affect other programs?

Yes, adjusting the 'Scale and layout' setting in Windows 11 applies system-wide. It will change the size of text, application interfaces, and other elements across all your open programs, not just Microsoft Excel.

How do I temporarily view the ribbon when it is minimized?

When the ribbon is minimized, simply click on any tab name (such as Home, Insert, or Data). The ribbon will drop down temporarily so you can select a command, and it will automatically hide again once you click back into your spreadsheet cells.

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