How to insert a button in Excel

by | Jul 26, 2021 | Excel Tips & Tricks

How to insert a button in Excel

In this guide, we’re going to show you how to insert a button in Excel.

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Developer Tab and Button command

The command for adding option buttons can be found under the Developer tab, which is not active in Excel by default. This tab contains macro tools. along with other advanced controls, such as buttons.

If the tab is missing in your Excel, follow the steps below.

  1. Open Excel Options under File.
  2. Select Customize Ribbon.
  3. Find and mark the checkbox for Developer in the list box on the right.
  4. Click the OK button to see the tab in the Ribbon.

You can see detailed steps at How to display the Excel Developer tab for using advanced features.

Inserting a button

Once the Developer tab is visible, you can find the Option Button command under the Insert button in the Controls section. When you click the Insert button, you will see the same controls under two sections:

  • Form Controls
  • ActiveX Controls

Clicking the Option Button button changes the cursor into a plus. Click anywhere to insert a default option button, or hold and drag the cursor to define the size of the option.

How to insert a button in Excel 04

Once a button is inserted, Excel automatically opens the Assign Macro dialog. The Assign Macro dialog allows you to either select an existing macro or create a new one. Click Cancel if you do not want to assign a macro yet.

Tip: Press New button to start coding a new macro. The Record button starts a recording session, which can capture and convert your actions on Excel into a VBA code. You can find more about this feature here: How to create a macro in Excel article.

Modifying and multiplying buttons

Now, let's take a look at further configuration options for inserting an option button. First of all, you can change the default "Button 1", "Button 2", etc. names. You can change the label by right clicking the option button and selecting Edit Text.

You can use Excel's drag and drop feature for copying an option button multiple times. However, you need to fit the option button into a cell first.

  1. Use the circles around to adjust its size. You can also use the Snap to Grid feature for this.
  2. Once the option button is in a cell, select the cell.
  3. Copy it down to by using tiny square at bottom right like copying cells.

Once you have as many buttons as you would like, use the Assign Macro command. Use the right-click (context) menu to display the Assign Macro dialog and set macros to corresponding buttons.