Hide Worksheet Tabs, Scroll Bars if Not Needed

SUMMARY: If you’re only using one worksheet in an Excel 2010 workbook, why display the worksheet tabs if you’ll never use them? Also learn how to hide one or both scroll bars if not needed.

 While some complicated Microsoft Excel 2010 workbooks may have dozens, if not more worksheets, you may sometimes create workbooks that only require one worksheet tab. In this case, why show the worksheet tabs if you don’t need to use them? By hiding these tabs, and also the horizontal and / or vertical scroll bars, you can slightly increase the room onscreen used to display your workbook.


1. Open the workbook you wish to modify.

2. Select the “File” tab in the Ribbon.

3. The Microsoft Office Backstage View appears. Click the “Options” button.

(Or instead of steps 2 and 3, press Alt + T, then the letter O.)

4. The “Excel Options” dialog box appears. Click “Advanced” in the left pane.

5. In the right pane, underneath “Display options for this workbook” (you may have to scroll down), make sure the desired workbook is selected in the pull-down.

6. Underneath, uncheck “Show sheet tabs”.

7. If desired, hide the horizontal scroll bar to add some more room onscreen for your workbook – uncheck “Show horizontal scroll bar”.

Hiding the sheet tabs and horizontal scroll bar for a particular Excel 2010 workbook

8. Uncheck “Show vertical scroll bar” to hide that as well, if desired.

9. Click “OK” on the bottom-right of the dialog box to close it.