The Developer tab in Excel holds tools for macros, VBA, form controls like checkboxes and drop-down buttons, add-ins, and XML. It’s hidden by default in Excel 2013 and every later version, including Microsoft 365. Turning it on takes about 30 seconds and doesn’t change anything else in Excel. Here’s how on Windows and Mac.
Quick Answer
Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the list on the right, under Main Tabs, check Developer and click OK. The Developer tab appears on the ribbon, usually between View and Help.
Show the Developer Tab in Excel for Windows
- Click File, then Options (in some versions, More > Options on the start screen).
- Select Customize Ribbon on the left.
- On the right, make sure the drop-down says Main Tabs.
- Check the box next to Developer.
- Click OK.
Shortcut: Right-click any tab on the ribbon, choose Customize the Ribbon, and check Developer.
The setting applies to Excel only. To show Developer in Word or PowerPoint, repeat the steps in those apps.
Show the Developer Tab in Excel for Mac
- Click Excel in the menu bar and choose Preferences (or Settings).
- Click Ribbon & Toolbar.
- Under Customize the Ribbon, check Developer in the Main Tabs list.
- Click Save.
What’s on the Developer Tab
| Group | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Code | Open the Visual Basic editor (Alt + F11), view and run Macros, record a macro, set Macro Security |
| Add-ins | Manage Excel add-ins and COM add-ins |
| Controls | Insert form controls (checkboxes, buttons, combo boxes, scroll bars) and ActiveX controls, Design Mode, Properties |
| XML | Map XML data, import and export XML |
Newer Excel versions also let you insert checkboxes from Insert > Checkbox without the Developer tab.
Excel for the Web
Excel in a browser doesn’t have the Developer tab or support VBA macros. For automation on the web, use the Automate tab (Office Scripts) where available, or open the file in the desktop app.
Troubleshooting
- Developer doesn’t appear after clicking OK: Make sure you checked it in the right-hand list with Main Tabs selected, not in the left commands list.
- Options are grayed out: Your organization may manage Office settings. Contact IT.
- Macros won’t run: Check Developer > Macro Security, save the workbook as .xlsm, and unblock files from the internet (right-click the file, Properties, check Unblock) only if you trust the source.
Summary
- Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
- Check Developer under Main Tabs.
- Click OK.
- On Mac, use Excel > Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.