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How to Remove the Add-ins Group from the Word or Excel Home Tab
Question details
The user wants to remove the newly added Add-ins group from the Home tab in Microsoft Word or Excel to free up ribbon space.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing ribbon layout space after an Office monthly update unexpectedly inserts an Add-ins group onto the main Home tab.
- Observed behavior
- An Add-ins group appears on the Home tab, duplicating functionality that is typically already accessible on the Developer or Insert tabs.
Ensure you have saved your current work. Ribbon customizations apply globally to the application, meaning the changes will remain in effect for all future documents or workbooks you open.
Remove the Add-ins Group via Customize Ribbon
The most straightforward method to hide or remove unwanted default groups from your main application tabs.
Microsoft Office allows users to modify the Ribbon layout. You can easily remove groups that were pushed during a monthly channel update if you find them distracting or redundant.
Launch Word or Excel, click on the 'File' menu at the top left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand pane.
In the Options dialog box, click on 'Customize Ribbon' in the left sidebar.
On the right side, ensure the 'Customize the Ribbon' dropdown is set to 'Main Tabs'. Scroll down and click the '+' icon next to 'Home' to expand its groups.
Find the 'Add-ins' group in the list, select it, and click the 'Remove' button located between the two columns (or double-click the group). Click 'OK' to save your new layout.
Create a Custom Duplicate Home Tab
A reliable workaround if your version of Office restricts you from modifying the default Home tab directly.
Switch to WPS Office for a Cleaner, Distraction-Free Workspace
Tired of unexpected layout changes and forced ribbon updates in Microsoft Office? Try WPS Office. It offers a clean, highly stable interface that puts you in control, while maintaining perfect compatibility with all your Word and Excel files.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office from the official website and follow the quick installation prompts.
- 2. Open Your Existing Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx or .xlsx files directly; no conversion is required.
- 3. Enjoy a Clutter-Free Ribbon: Experience a clean, highly customizable ribbon that only shows the tools you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Add-ins group suddenly appear on my Home tab?
Microsoft occasionally rolls out monthly channel updates that introduce new features or reorganize the ribbon. These automatic updates can result in the Add-ins group being added to your Home tab without prior notice.
Can I remove the Add-ins group without affecting my currently installed add-ins?
Yes. Removing the group from the Home tab only hides the shortcut from the ribbon. Your installed add-ins remain fully active and can still be accessed via the Developer tab or the Insert menu.
Why is the 'Remove' button grayed out when I try to edit the Home tab?
In some enterprise-managed or specific subscription versions of Office, administrators may restrict default ribbon customization. If you cannot modify default tabs, you can use the workaround of creating a custom tab to replace the default Home tab.
Will resetting my ribbon customizations bring the Add-ins group back?
Yes. If you click 'Reset all customizations' in the Customize Ribbon menu, the layout will revert to the default state for your current Office build, which will likely restore the Add-ins group to the Home tab.
