Show Developer Tab in Excel Ribbon (Windows & Mac)

This guide shows you how to display the Developer tab in Microsoft Excel on both Windows and Mac. The Developer tab gives you access to tools like Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), macros, form controls, and XML commands. You’ll need to have Excel installed and be able to change its settings—no administrator rights are required for most steps.

What You’ll Need

• Microsoft Excel (2010 or later, including Microsoft 365)
• Permission to change Excel options (standard user account is fine)

Step-by-Step

For Windows (Excel 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, Microsoft 365)

1. Open Excel. You can start with a blank workbook or an existing file.
2. Click the File tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon.
3. In the backstage view, click Options at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
4. In the Excel Options dialog box, select Customize Ribbon from the left sidebar.
5. On the right side, under Customize the Ribbon, you’ll see a drop-down list. Make sure it says Main Tabs.
6. In the list below, look for Developer. It will be unchecked by default. Click the checkbox next to it to add a checkmark.
7. Click OK to save your changes and close the dialog.
8. The Developer tab now appears at the end of the ribbon, after the View tab.

For Mac (Excel 2016, 2019, 2021, Microsoft 365)

1. Open Excel on your Mac.
2. Click the Excel menu (the app name) in the top-left corner of the screen, next to the Apple logo.
3. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Excel Preferences window, click the Ribbon & Toolbar icon (it looks like a ribbon).
5. In the Customize the Ribbon section, you’ll see a list of tabs. Find Developer.
6. Check the box next to Developer to enable it.
7. Click Save (or just close the preferences window). The Developer tab will appear in the ribbon.

Common Mistakes

• Looking in the wrong place: On Windows, some users look for the Developer tab in the “Add-ins” section of Excel Options. It’s actually under Customize Ribbon.
• Selecting “All Tabs” instead of “Main Tabs”: If the drop-down is set to “All Tabs,” you might see Developer listed but still not be able to check it because it’s part of a submenu. Always set it to Main Tabs.
• Not restarting Excel: In rare cases, the tab doesn’t appear until you close and reopen Excel. If you don’t see it immediately, save your work and restart the app.
• On Mac, looking under “View” or “Tools”: The Developer option is not there; it’s in the Excel menu → Preferences → Ribbon & Toolbar.

Tips

• If you use the Developer tab frequently, you can drag it to a different position in the ribbon. On Windows, go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon, select Developer, and use the up/down arrows to reorder it.
• On Mac, you can also reorder tabs in the same Ribbon & Toolbar preferences by dragging the tab name.
• If you only need macros, you can also enable the Macros button on the Quick Access Toolbar without showing the whole Developer tab. Right-click the ribbon and choose Customize Quick Access Toolbar, then select Macros from the commands list.
• The Developer tab is also available in other Office apps like Word and PowerPoint, but the steps differ slightly.

Troubleshooting

• Developer tab is still not visible after following the steps:
  • Close Excel completely and reopen it. Sometimes the ribbon needs a restart to refresh.
  • Check if your ribbon is collapsed. Double-click any tab name to expand it, or press Ctrl+F1 (Windows) or Cmd+Option+R (Mac) to toggle the ribbon.
  • Make sure you are not in a special mode like “Reading View” or “Focus Mode”. Switch to normal editing view.
• You can’t find “Options” in the File menu: If you click File and don’t see Options at the bottom, your Excel window might be too small. Maximize the window or scroll down in the left-hand menu.
• On Mac, the Preferences window doesn’t show Ribbon & Toolbar: This can happen if you’re using an older version of Excel. Update Excel to the latest version from the Mac App Store or Microsoft’s website.
• Developer tab appears but is greyed out: This is rare, but if the tab is greyed out, it might be because the workbook is protected or in compatibility mode. Try creating a new blank workbook and see if the tab is active.
• You see “Developer” but can’t check the box on Windows: Make sure the drop-down next to “Customize the Ribbon” is set to “Main Tabs”. If it’s set to “All Tabs”, some items become non-editable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need the Developer tab?

The Developer tab gives you access to advanced features like VBA macros, form controls (buttons, checkboxes), ActiveX controls, and XML commands. It’s essential for automating tasks and building interactive spreadsheets.

Does enabling the Developer tab affect my workbook?

No, it only changes the Excel interface. It doesn’t add any code or modify your data. It just makes the tools available for you to use.

Can I use macros without the Developer tab?

Yes, you can run macros assigned to buttons or keyboard shortcuts without the Developer tab, but you need it to create, edit, or delete macros. You can also use the “Macros” command on the View tab to run macros, but not to record new ones.

Is the Developer tab available in Excel Online (web version)?

No, Excel Online does not support the Developer tab. You need the desktop version of Excel to use VBA and form controls.

How do I hide the Developer tab again?

Follow the same steps and uncheck the Developer box. The tab will disappear immediately.

Will my macros still work if I hide the Developer tab?

Yes, hiding the tab does not disable macros. All macros and code will continue to run normally.

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