Excel formula bar

Question

After recently upgrading to W11, I note that the font size in the excel formula bar is now tiny (I'm having trouble reading it). How can I change the settings to increase it permanently?

I've tried the usual increasing desktop scaling but it has no effect upon the actual font inside the Excel formula bar.

Answer 1

Dear @Office worker,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. I noticed you recently asked a similar question, and our forum moderator, Jeanie, provided a solution in this thread: Increasing the font size in the Excel formula bar. Is this the specific guide you followed?

I did implement it, and the measures were completely correct, and I succeeded on the test version, but I want to add a few important technical details to ensure the solution works for you:

Important notes when implementing:

• After you edit the Default Font Size in Excel Options, you must completely close and restart Excel for the changes to take effect in the formula bar interface.
• Please note that changing the default font mainly affects new workbooks created after the change. It may not automatically adjust the formula bar size for previously created files.
• If the font size remains unchanged after restarting Excel, I recommend restarting your computer to ensure Windows 11 properly synchronizes the application's UI size adjustments.

I hope this clarifies why the changes might not be immediately apparent. Please let me know if the font remains small after a complete system restart.

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Answer 2

The font size in the Excel formula bar is tied to overall text/app scaling in Windows rather than a separate Excel setting. To make it larger permanently, adjust text size or display scaling in Windows 11.

Use one or both of these options:

1. Make text larger (affects text such as in title bars, menus, and many UI elements)
   1. Select Start > Settings > Accessibility > Text size.
   2. Move the Text size slider to the right until the sample text is comfortable to read.
   3. Select Apply. Windows scales up the size of all text.
2. Make everything larger (affects text, images, and apps)
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Display.
   2. Under Scale & layout, open the Scale menu.
   3. Choose a higher percentage (for example, from 100% to 125% or 150%).

If needed, sign out and back in so all apps (including Excel) pick up the new scaling.

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References:

• Make text and apps bigger
• Change the size of text in Windows
• Make Windows easier to see