Customize Ribbon Size to Make it Smaller

I too have the problem--but I find that the problem is highly variable with the age of the monitor.  On my older monitor the operating system somehow just doesn't recognize the resolution correctly and the ribbon along with the other non content stuff takes up half the page.  When I'm using a newer monitor, it is well less than a quarter.  It doesn't seem to be a resolution problem, maybe a monitor driver problem.  Borrow a better monitor and see if that does the trick.

Yours is a good solution for those who use a small set of features. But for my work as an editor I need the Review tab open at all times. I customized it--which was a learning curve over a period of weeks--and there is sits, a fat ribbon atop the screen. I would dearly like to compact it, as it was back in Word 2003, but no option to do this. Yes, Microsoft doesn't get the part about maximizing CONTENT and minimizing its Ribbon. And no, I'm not getting one of those apps that can bring you back to 2003. I've already spent enough time learing Office 2010, which I purchased in the last year to bring me up to docx level.

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.

Oh thank you thank you thank you!

Was driving myself insane on an already bad day trying to find it. Bless you for this!

Dee.

Solution found! Many thanks to Jeff_Engineer and StrategicData (above). 

Thanks,

Dee.

I'm sorry, but where exactly is the "Top menu/task bar"?? I can't seem to find anything that looks like what is described.... Please HELP!'