J-Walk & Associates, Inc.

Posted: Old-Style Menus In Excel 2007

I just a posted a simple VBA macro that creates a toolbar containing the old Excel 2003 menu system. Click here to view the code: Old-Style Menus In Excel 2007.

It looks like this:

It might be useful in a pinch. Some of the commands don't work, but most of them do.

- Reader Comments -

Following are comments in response to this item.
The most recent comment is at the bottom.

1. By Excel User. Comment posted 03 November, 2009 6:36am

   See also http://blog.livedoor.jp/andrewe/archives/2008-10.html
2. By Ellen King. Comment posted 11 November, 2009 11:59am

   Way to go! Thanks. After 4 versions of MS Office, (except for learning enough of 2007 to get by), I've decided to wait for 2010. Did anyone notice Visio 2007 did not get the "2007 ribbon"? Any ideas why?
3. By JPII. Comment posted 28 January, 2010 11:05am

   Try harder John, your wizard credentials are at risk!
   
   I have just posted my view on the bloody ribbon in the Excel version poll and your trial to fix this huge problem shows me again that I am not the only who is annoyed.
   
   I and probably a lot of other professional Excel users would be extremely excited if you could use your influence and convince MS that they should give the user the option to work either with the traditional menu or the ribbon.
   
   Best,
   JPII
4. By John Walkenbach. Comment posted 28 January, 2010 12:12pm

   JPII, for the record, I like the Ribbon interface. After using Excel 2007 and 2010 extensively, I'm in the opposite position as you. If I'm forced to use Excel 2003, my productivity goes to hell. I just can't remember how to navigate that convoluted menu system.
   
   I created this example just as an example to show how easy it is get the old menus back. I would never actually use it.
5. By JPII. Comment posted 28 January, 2010 12:48pm

   You are a nerd John! Or I am getting too old for changes...
   
   None the less I do not see a reason why MS does not give users the choice between ribbon and traditional menu.
   
   That would actually fit well into the Office philosophy to give the user various options for executing a task: menu-click, right mouse click or short-cut.
   
   The only thing I am asking for is flexibility and freedom of choice.