Data Protection Issues

Fix Missing Show Bar from Sensitivity Labels in Office Apps

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to find or restore the Show Bar option for sensitivity labels, which is no longer visible in Microsoft Office applications.

Fix Missing Show Bar from Sensitivity Labels in Office Apps

Product: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to apply or view data protection sensitivity labels after a recent Microsoft Office update.
Observed behavior: The Show Bar option has completely disappeared from the sensitivity label menu in Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft 365 desktop applications are fully updated to seamlessly transition to the platform's newer, built-in sensitivity labeling features.

Solution 1Recommended

Transition to Built-in Microsoft 365 Sensitivity Labeling

Since the underlying Azure Information Protection (AIP) add-in was retired, you must switch to the native Microsoft 365 labeling features.

The "Show Bar" functionality was specifically tied to the Azure Information Protection unified labeling client. Microsoft placed this legacy add-in into maintenance mode and officially retired it in April 2024. The recommended path forward is to use the native sensitivity capabilities built directly into modern Microsoft 365 apps.

Update Office Apps

Open any Office application like Word or Excel, navigate to 'File', select 'Account', and click 'Update Options' > 'Update Now' to ensure you are running the latest version.

Access Native Labels

Navigate to the 'Home' tab on your ribbon and look for the 'Sensitivity' button. Click this button to view and apply your organization's available data protection labels without needing the legacy Show Bar.

Transition to Built-in Microsoft 365 Sensitivity Labeling

AIP Retirement: Because the Azure Information Protection Office add-in was officially retired in April 2024, the old Show Bar is permanently disabled by Microsoft.

Solution 2

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

If native sensitivity labels are not appearing or functioning correctly, your tenant environment may require administrative investigation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Streamlined Document Experience

If you are tired of sudden interface changes, retired add-ins, or complicated Microsoft 365 tenant configurations, consider WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, stable, and highly compatible workspace for all your document needs without the hassle of legacy add-in updates.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with perfect format compatibility.
3. Edit Seamlessly: Enjoy a familiar, stable interface to edit and save your documents without worrying about retired features or missing menus.

100% free and lightweight Office suiteFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsConsistent and familiar user interface avoiding sudden layout changesHigh performance without relying on complex enterprise add-ins

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Show Bar disappear from Word and Excel?

The Show Bar was a feature of the Azure Information Protection (AIP) Office add-in. Microsoft officially retired this add-in in April 2024, replacing it with native, built-in sensitivity labeling.

Can I get the sensitivity label Show Bar back in Microsoft 365?

No, because the underlying AIP add-in has been retired. You should now use the 'Sensitivity' button located directly on the Home tab of the ribbon in your updated Office apps.

What should I do if the built-in Sensitivity button is also missing?

First, verify that your Office applications are fully updated via File > Account > Update Options. If the button remains missing, your organization's IT administrator may need to properly publish sensitivity labels to your account or contact Microsoft Support.

Microsoft Office Security Issues