The status bar in Excel can be quite useful. By default, the status bar at the bottom of the window displays the average, count and sum of selected cells.
Status Bar 101
The status bar can do the math for you.
1. Select the range A1:A3.
2. Look at the status bar to see the average, count and sum of these cells.
3. To quickly change the workbook view, use the 3 view shortcuts on the status bar.
Note: visit our page about workbook views to learn more about this topic.
4. Use the zoom slider on the status bar to quickly zoom in or out to a preset percentage.
Note: use the ribbon to zoom to a specific percentage or to zoom to a selection.
Customize Status Bar
Many status bar options are selected by default. Right click the status bar to activate even more options.
1. Right click the status bar.
2. For example, click Caps Lock.
Note: this doesn’t turn on Caps Lock (see image above, Caps Lock is still turned off). The status bar displays the Caps Lock status now.
3. Press the Caps Lock key on your keyboard.
4. Excel displays the text Caps Lock in the status bar.
5. Right click the status bar.
6. For example, click Minimum.
7. Select the range A1:A3.
8. Look at the status bar to see the average, count, minimum and sum of these cells.
Status Bar Secrets
Here’s a little secret: Excel uses the status bar in many other situations. If you don’t like this, hide the status bar.
1. For example, filter a table.
2. Excel uses the status bar to display the number of visible records.
3. Hover over a cell with one or more comments.
4. Excel uses the status bar to display the name of the author.
5. If you have Excel 2016, use the shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + F1 to hide the ribbon and the status bar.
6. To only hide the status bar, add the following code line to the Workbook Open Event:
Application.DisplayStatusBar = False
7. Use the StatusBar property in Excel VBA to display a message on the status bar.
Note: if you’re new to Excel, you can skip step 6 and step 7.
Status Bar
The Status Bar in Microsoft Excel is a horizontal bar located at the bottom of the application window. It provides users with real-time information about the current state of the workbook, selected data, and ongoing processes. The Status Bar enhances productivity by displaying quick insights without requiring additional commands or navigation.
Key Features of the Status Bar
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Cell Mode Display
The Status Bar indicates the current mode of a cell, such as Ready (when Excel is idle), Enter (when typing data into a cell), Edit (when modifying a cell’s content), and Point (when selecting a reference for a formula). -
Quick Data Calculations
When multiple numerical cells are selected, the Status Bar automatically provides calculations like Sum, Average, Count, Minimum, and Maximum, saving time for quick analysis without needing formulas. -
Zoom Control
The Status Bar includes a zoom slider that allows users to adjust the zoom level of the worksheet for better visibility. -
View Mode Selection
Users can switch between different worksheet views—Normal, Page Layout, and Page Break Preview—directly from the Status Bar. -
Macro Recording Indicator
If macros are enabled, the Status Bar displays a record button that allows users to start recording macros with a single click. -
Progress Indicator
During long-running operations such as calculations or data processing, Excel may display a progress message or animation in the Status Bar.
Customizing the Status Bar
Users can right-click the Status Bar to customize which features are displayed, enabling or disabling specific options based on their preferences.
Overall, the Status Bar is a powerful yet often overlooked tool that provides instant information and enhances user efficiency.