Customize Ribbon Size to Make it Smaller

Anonymous
2013-08-26T01:47:56+00:00

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?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-10-04T10:48:18+00:00

    To address size of ribbons and icons in Office 365 (Windows 10):

    • Go to Desktop, right-click and chose Display Settings. Make sure in Scale an Layout Section option 'Change the size of text...' is set up to 100%.

    • You can always choose Simplified Ribbon instead of Classic ribbon view in any Office application, simply right click on ribbon and choose 'Simplified Ribbon'

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-09-18T09:18:35+00:00

    I find a turnaround for this never lasting challenge.

    I minimized the ribbon and added the commands i use in the quick access toolbar. It is not ideal but it is working well for me.

    Hope this helps a bit.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-02-27T13:15:31+00:00

    This has been bugging me for a few days.  Several calls to my IT support group.  Repaired and reloaded Office.  It was a mess and nothing we did could fix it.  UNTIL I found your answer buried in a question about this topic.  Obviously, at some point, I had clicked on the "Touchpad" option without knowing or recognizing what it did.  Now fixed.  You are now my hero.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-10-16T14:21:30+00:00

    October 15th, 2018: Microsoft have just sent out an update via the Internet and - aargh! they've made the ribbon even bigger!!

    It's unbelievable! Here we are on the seventh page of complaints about the ribbon being too big and taking space away from the document we're trying read or write - and what do they do? They go and make the ribbon EVEN BIGGER.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-06-28T16:57:47+00:00

    ......or use the slider at the top of the display settings dialogue box in control panel....

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