How to Reduce the Size of Formula Bar in Excel (3 Methods)

Whiles writing large formulas in Excel or presenting an Excel worksheet to a group of audiences, you might need to increase the size of the formula bar for convenience. After the purpose has been served, you might need to switch to a normal or regular-sized formula bar. In this tutorial, I will show you how to reduce the size of the formula bar in Excel. The same methods we are going to use can also be applied to increase the size of the formula bar.

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3 Easy Ways to Reduce the Size of Formula Bar in Excel

Let’s assume a scenario where we have an Excel file that contains information about the products that a country exports to different countries in Europe. We have the Product and Country to which the product is exported. We will use the formula bar of this Excel workbook to learn how to reduce the size of the formula bar in Excel. The image below shows the worksheet we are going to work with.

Method 1: Reduce the Size of the Formula Bar Using the Two-Sided Arrow

The simplest and easiest way is to use the two-sided arrow to reduce the size of the formula bar in Excel. Let’s see how we can do that.

Steps:

• First, we will place our cursor on the edge of the formula bar. We will then see a two-sided arrow like the one below.
• If we drag that two-sided arrow downward, the size of the formula bar will increase. And if we drag it upward, the size of the bar will decrease.

Read More: [Fixed!] Excel Formula Bar Not Showing Text (3 Quick Solutions)

Method 2: Click the Downward Arrow at the Right Side of the Formula Bar to Reduce the Size

Another very simple way is to use the downward arrow at the right side of the formula bar to reduce its size.

Steps:

• We can use the downward arrow at the right end of the formula bar like the image below to increase or reduce the size of the bar.
• If we click it once, the formula bar will expand downward. And if you click it again, the size of the bar will be normal again.

Method 3: Use Keyboard Shortcut to Reduce the Size of the Formula Bar

Alternatively, you can use a simple keyboard shortcut to reduce or increase the size of the formula bar.

Steps:

• We can simply press CTRL+SHIFT+U to increase or decrease the size of the formula bar.
• If we use this keyboard shortcut once, the formula bar will expand downward. And if you use it again, the size of the bar will be normal again.

Bonus: Increase or Decrease the Font Size of the Formula Bar

Along with changing the size of the formula bar, you can also change the font size of the formula bar. Let’s see how we can do that.

Step 1:

• First, we will click on the File.

Step 2:

• Then, a new window will appear. Next, we will click on the Options from that window.

• Now, another window named Excel Options will appear. We will change the font size under the When creating new workbooks
• For example, we have increased the font size to 18.
• Finally, we have clicked on OK.

• Now, a window will appear asking us to close and restart Microsoft Excel so that the font changes can take effect.
• So, we will click on OK and close this workbook and other opened workbooks to let the font change take effect.

• Now, if we open the workbook again, we will see that the font size of the formula bar has increased to 18.

Quick Notes

• If you change the font size of a particular worksheet, remember that the size will be effective for the rest of the workbooks and any workbook you will create after the change. You will have to change it to the default size if you do not want the font change to take effect in the other workbooks.
• Read this article to learn how to show and hide the formula bar in Excel.

Conclusion

In this article, we have learned how to reduce the size of the formula bar in Excel. I hope from now on you can reduce the size of the formula bar in Excel easily. However, if you have any queries or recommendations about this article, please do leave a comment below. Have a great day!!!

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