How to Add the Developer Tab in MS Excel 2016

The above 'Developer' tab shown in the screenshot above is not visible unless you activate it from the options menu. Adding this tab will open the doors to adding and managing Excel add-ins, changing certain worksheet properties, inserting both form and activeX controls, access to visual basic and macro tools, and more. More than likely, you are here because you are a somewhat advanced Excel user and you are ready to take the next step to learn developer skills. Otherwise, you are just curious to see what is behind that door. Either way, the instructions below will make the tab become visible.

First, click on the file button in the top left-hand corner of the screen and then click on the “Options” button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

Next, after the 'Excel Options' window appears, click on the 'Customize Ribbon' button located in the list of options in the left side of the Excel Options window.

Lastly, find the 'Developer' option under 'Main Tabs' and click the check box beside it. Click on the 'OK' button at the bottom right-hand corner of the Excel Options window and you are done.

Now the Developer tab is visible under your main menu options.

Please see the video below for more help on adding the developer tab to Microsoft Excel.

To learn more about using Excel tools related to the developer tab I recommend the following book. I have been using the Excel Bible for years to improve my understanding of all aspects of this Microsoft product.

Crowder, J. (2020, January 1). How to Add the Developer Tab in Excel. Retrieved January 1, 2020, from https://youtu.be/nskuG6pK5ig.

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