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The ribbon is a set of toolbars at the top of the window in Office programs designed to help you quickly find the commands that you need to complete a task. 

Show Ribbon options

  1. When the ribbon is visible, in the lower-right corner of the ribbon, click the Ribbon Display Options icon.

    Ribbon display options menu

  2. Choose a state for the ribbon:

  • Full-screen mode hides the ribbon for the best view of your document, and only shows the ribbon when you select the ellipsis (...) in the upper right, or press the ALT key.

  • Show tabs only shows only the ribbon tabs, so you see more of your document, and you can still quickly switch among the tabs.

  • Always show Ribbon keeps all the tabs and commands on the ribbon visible all the time.

Expand or collapse the ribbon

You can toggle between having the ribbon expanded or collapsed in multiple ways.

If the ribbon is collapsed, expand it by doing do one of the following:

  • Double-click any of the ribbon tabs.

  • Right-click any of the ribbon tabs, and then select Collapse the ribbon.

    Expand the ribbon

  • Press CTRL+F1.

If the ribbon is expanded, collapse it by doing do one of the following:

  • Double-click any of the ribbon tabs.

  • Right-click any of the ribbon tabs, and then select Collapse the ribbon.

    Collapse the ribbon

  • Right-click Ribbon display options in the lower right of the ribbon, and then select Collapse the ribbon.

  • Press CTRL+F1.

If the ribbon isn't visible at all

If the ribbon isn’t visible at all (no tabs are showing), then you probably have the state set to Full-screen mode. Select the ellipsis (...) at the top right of the screen. This temporarily restores the ribbon.

When you return to the document, the ribbon is hidden again. To keep the ribbon displayed, select a different state from the Ribbon Display Options menu.

Ribbon display options menu

The ribbon is a set of toolbars at the top of the window in Office programs designed to help you quickly find the commands that you need to complete a task.

Show Ribbon options

  1. At the top-right corner, select the Ribbon Display Options icon Ribbon icon.

    Show or Hide ribbon
  2. Choose an option for the ribbon:

    • Show Tabs and Commands keeps all the tabs and commands on the ribbon visible all the time.

    • Show tabs shows only the ribbon tabs, so you see more of your document, and you can still quickly switch among the tabs.

    • Auto-Hide ribbon hides the ribbon for the best view of your document, and only shows the ribbon when you select the ellipsis (...), or press the ALT key.

Collapse the ribbon or expand it again

Double-click any of the ribbon tabs or press CTRL+F1 to collapse the ribbon if you need to see more of your document.

To see the ribbon again, just double-click any ribbon tab, or press CTRL+F1.

If the ribbon isn't visible at all

If the ribbon isn’t visible at all (no tabs are showing), then you probably have it set to Auto-hide. Select the ellipsis (...) at the top right of the screen. This temporarily restores the ribbon.

The Ribbon more button

When you return to the document, the ribbon is hidden again. To keep the ribbon displayed, select one of the Show options above.

See also

Customize the ribbon in Office

The ribbon is a set of toolbars at the top of the window in Office programs designed to help you quickly find the commands that you need to complete a task.

Show ribbon options  

  1. At the right corner of the ribbon, select the Ribbon Display Options icon Dropdown arrow for ribbon options.

    Note: If you don't see the ribbon or the Ribbon Display Options icon, it may be hidden. Move your cursor to the top of the browser window to make the ribbon appear as well as the icon.

  2. Choose an option in the menu:

  Menu for changing the menu in Microsoft 365.

  • Classic Ribbon displays the full ribbon you may be used to from previous versions of Office.

  • Simplified Ribbon displays a more compact version that takes up less space.

  • Always Show always have the ribbon visible.

  • Automatically Hide hides the ribbon until you move your cursor to the top and it reappears.

    Notes: 

    • For keyboard users, you can use CTRL + F6 or WIN + ALT to invoke the ribbon.

    • For touch users, simply scroll back up or tap the title bar to bring it back. Scrolling up and down quickly also triggers showing and hiding the ribbon.

See also

Customize the ribbon in Office

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