While you're in the Excel Options window, you might want to alter another handy file setting. If you have to exchange Excel workbooks with other users, not all of whom are using Excel 2007, you should save the files in the .xls file format used in versions of the spreadsheet from Excel 97 through Excel 2003, rather than saving them in the .xlsx format introduced in Excel 2007. You could try to remember to save your files in the older format each time you create a new workbook, or you could use the 'Save files in this format:' box to change the default file format to .xls. Of course, you can always click File, Save As after the fact to specify a different format when you need it, but changing the default file format to the more universal .xls can save you from having to go through that step repeatedly.

Reduce the Ribbon

Unlike prior versions of the program, Excel 2007 from includes a below the command menu across the top of the screen. It's an attractive way to display some of the options available for various menu items, but it takes up a lot of screen real estate, too. If you find that you're turning off the Ribbon menu whenever you start Excel--or if you wish that you could turn it off but don't know how--here's the way to get Excel to start without the Ribbon.

First, click the drop-down menu located in the Quick Access Menu next to the Office button at the top left of the window. Select Minimize the Ribbon, the last line of the drop-down list so that a checkmark appears next to it. At once the menu will disappear, as will the Ribbon--and it won't reappear the next time you start Excel.

Making this change will increase the available screen space on your monitor, so you can see more rows of your spreadsheet at one time. When you click a menu item at the top of the Excel screen, its Ribbon icons will appear until you select one of them (or press Escape or click the spreadsheet); then it will disappear once more.