Understanding Formula Bar in Excel
What is the formula bar in Microsoft Excel?
The formula bar is a rectangular box that functions to display and edit the contents of the active cell. This section also functions as a place to enter formulas and to edit or improve Excel formulas that have been created.
In addition to typing directly into an active cell, we can input data or write excel formulas in the formula section of this bar.
The formula bar is located between the ribbon and the worksheet area or workspace.
Name Box
On the left side of the formula bar is called the Name Box which shows the cell address or name of the active cell or range.
In the name box, there is a small triangle icon which, if you select, will show a list of cell names or ranges or other names that are being used in the workbook file you are currently opening.
If the file opens new files, those names are of course still empty.
Cancel, Enter, Insert Function
Between the name box and the formula bar there are 3 icons, each of which has the following functions:
1) Cancel icon (x) : This icon button has the same
function as the Esc key on the keyboard, which is to cancel changes or data
editing that we do in the formula bar or active cell.
2) Enter icon (✓): This check icon button functions like the enter key
on the keyboard, is used to accept data input or changes to the active cell or
formula bar.
3) Insert Function (fx) icon: If you click on this icon an insert function window will open. In this pop-up window we can find a list of Excel functions that we can use to compile an Excel formula as needed.
Change the Height of the Formula Bar
By default the formula bar size only fits to display 1
line of input data only. We can expand the formula bar area by selecting the
triangle icon at the far right of the formula bar.
To return the formula bar size do the same as before.
Hide or Show the Formula Bar
Like on Excel's ribbon, we can hide the formula bar to expand the workspace. The trick is to uncheck the Formula bar in the VIEW - Show - Formula Bar tab.
To show the hidden formula bar again, you can do it by clicking or checking the section.
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