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Unable to access the Developer tab in Excel 2016

Anonymous
2018-11-14T01:15:15+00:00

Hi all,

I recently purchased a copy of Excel 2016 for Mac (16.16.1) 

Until now, I have used every version of Excel and have always been able to access the developer tab and it's underlying functions.  I have just tried to enable it and found that the entire Ribbon panel is greyed out.

Does this mean that although I have a legitimate copy of Excel, I am no longer able to use any of the Developer functions?  Does anyone know how I can access this menu?

Warrick

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 430.1K Reputation points
    2018-11-14T20:59:31+00:00

    Oddly enough, the Developer tab is not activated by way of the Preferences for the Ribbon/QAT. Those prefs pertain strictly to customizing the UI.

    To activate the Developer tab go to Excel> Preferences - View, then check the box at the bottom of the pane.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-14T19:09:12+00:00

    I am not sure that the Developer tab is available for Permanent license version you have. How if yours I know it is available. But it has to be turned on.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-14T03:33:41+00:00

    Hi Warrick,

    You could check in Excel > Preferences > View > In Ribbon, Show to see if you have chosen Developer tab option.

    If the problem still persists, I'd like to collect the product information, you can check it in Excel > About Microsoft Excel and send the screenshot to us.

    Regards,

    Tisky

    Modified by Tisky Zheng MSFT, 01:18 AM, Nov 17, 2018 (UTC)

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-11-14T04:40:59+00:00

    Thanks Tisky.

    I realised after my post that this could have been the problem and have checked for an update.  The update process has applied update 16.16.4 but then reports no later version is available.

    On checking after the update is applied I still have the ribbon screen greyed out.

    PII removed by MSFT.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-11-14T09:42:23+00:00

    Hi Warrick,

    You can try downloading the latest version of Office 2016 for Mac in this website: Update history for Office for Mac.

    If the problem still persists, please try the safe mode:

    1) Start or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key.

    2) Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

    Regards,

    Tisky

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