Customize Ribbon Size to Make it Smaller

Don't understand why you are absolving Microsoft from blame for Ribbon design when everything else in your comment reflects how the bad design affects you! I've got a 27-inch monitor and even with that, I could do with a little less Ribbon. I also have Surface--cannot imagine working on Word 2010 in that small screen space.

I'm extremely disappointed that Microsoft has made the ribbon so HUGE and does not appear to offer any way of customizing its size other than completely collapsing it.  Between the menu bar, the ribbon, the formula bar, etc. almost HALF of the screen real estate is non-content. Microsoft has it backwards, thinking the more screen space should go to the user interface rather than the content. This is maddening, and it's extremely frustrating that Microsoft doesn't allow me to customize the size of the ribbon to maximize content. Does anyone know of a work around?

I feel the same way.

Here are the steps to replace the ribbon with just the SMALL icons you want.

1. File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar

• Add features you want: new mail, new appointment, Send / Receive ...
• Click checkbox "Show Quick Access below Ribbon"
• Click OK when completed

2. Back on the main screen

• Click The UP Arrow
• Hide the Big Massive Ribbon "Show Tabs only"

Now you have a small icon toolbar with just the items you want.

It's a year later since your post. I recently loaded Office 2013 to my PC for a class that I am taking, it requires us to use Access 2013. I have been reluctant because I never really like the new look. I must agree with all the post regarding the  size it is totally ridiculous. I am very disappointed! As soon as my class is finished and am going back to my older version.

Pull down the tiny arrow in the Quick Access Toolbar. If your box beside Touch/Mouse Mode is unchecked, click that. Now Excel will give you the finger. ^_^  It may not help, though, if it's not already there - if you had a touch screen it should have already been in Touch mode.

I'm not a fan of the wasted ribbon space either. Touch/Mouse could be renamed Worse/Bad.

At least within AutoCAD I can control how big the buttons are on the ribbon and control how they shrink as the window is resized. Office apps just reconfigure the ribbon like maniacs as you shrink your working window. Just give us one interface and leave it alone.

I didn't say I didn't, I said I wouldn't.