Sometimes, we may see that the Formula Bar is missing in our Excel worksheet. The formula bar is very important for us to view the cell contents, formula, or to create a formula in a cell. In this article, we’ll show you the effective solutions to the Formula Bar Is Not Showing in Excel problem.
Introduction to Formula Bar in Excel
The Formula Bar is present under the Excel Ribbons and just above the Column Headers. The formula bar shows the cell contents or long formulas which we may have a problem viewing in that specific cell. We can activate the Formula Bar by clicking on it or inserting the ‘=’ symbol in any cell.
In the following image, the red-colored box is the Formula Bar.

Formula Bar Is Not Showing in Excel: 4 Possible Solutions
1. Use View Tab When Formula Bar Is Not Showing in Excel
In our first method, we’ll try to solve the missing Formula Bar issue with the View tab. In the below picture, we can see that the formula bar is absent. Therefore, follow the steps below to perform the task.

STEPS:
- First, under the View tab, check the box for Formula Bar in the Show group.

- As a result, you’ll see the Formula Bar just above the Column Headers.

Read More: How to Show and Hide Formula Bar in Excel
2. Excel File Options for Showing Formula Bar
Sometimes, we have to check the File Options in our workbook for the missing formula bar. So, learn the below steps for solving the problem.
STEPS:
- Firstly, go to File ➤ Options.
- Consequently, the Excel Options dialog box will pop out.
- Then, select the Advanced tab.
- After that, check the Show formula bar box and press OK.

- Finally, it’ll return the Formula Bar.

Read More: [Fixed] Excel Formula Bar Not Showing Cell Contents
3. Keyboard Shortcut When Formula Bar Is Not Showing
Moreover, we can apply Keyboard Shortcut to bring back the formula bar in our worksheet. Hence, follow the process to carry out the operation.

STEPS:
- Open the Excel worksheet at first.
- Afterward, press the keys ‘Alt’, ‘W’, ‘V’ and ‘F’ one after another serially.
- At last, you’ll get the Formula Bar back.

Read More: How to Hide Cell Contents in Excel Formula Bar
4. Apply VBA If Formula Bar Is Not Showing in Excel
We’ll use the VBA code to obtain the Formula Bar back in our last method. Therefore, learn the following process to fix the Formula Bar missing issue.
STEPS:
- In the beginning, select the sheet and right-click on the mouse.
- Then, select View Code.

- As a result, the VBA window will pop out and a dialog box will appear.
- Subsequently, copy the following code and paste it into the box.
Sub ShowFormulaBar()
Application.DisplayFormulaBar = True
End Sub

- Now, press F5 to run the code.
- Next, close the VBA window.
- Eventually, the Formula Bar will reappear in the worksheet.

Download Practice Workbook
Download the following workbook to practice by yourself.
Conclusion
Henceforth, you will be able to fix the Formula Bar Is Not Showing in Excel problem with the above-described solutions. Keep using them and let us know if you have any more ways to do the task. Don’t forget to drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.
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You helped me out today; option 1 got me going again (and also reminded me about gridlines option). So thank you!
But please correct your description so as to refer to the View menu, not the View tab which is unrelated (and coincidental in your example).
Another comment, this time on option 4 (VBA). It’s not actually necessary to write a VBA procedure. Simply find the immediate pane within VBA (Ctrl-G will help here) and then type “application.displayformulabar=false”.
Hello Neil Galbraith,
Thank you so much for your helpful feedback! I’m really glad that Option 1 solved the issue for you.
Regarding the terminology, modern versions of Excel use the Ribbon interface, so “View” is correctly referred to as the View tab (just like Home tab or Insert tab). Older Excel versions used the term “View menu,” which is why the wording can sometimes feel mixed. But for today’s Excel, View tab is the appropriate term.
Also, thank you for mentioning the VBA Immediate Window shortcut.
Application.DisplayFormulaBar = False
Using this in the Immediate Pane (Ctrl + G) is definitely a faster alternative to writing a full procedure. That’s a great tip for other readers.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your insights!
Regards,
ExcelDemy