Add Calculator in Excel to the Toolbar

You might have found using the Windows in-built Calculator in Excel when you want to do some quick and basic calculations that did not require formulas. Many of the times, the Calculator app and Excel go hand-in-hand.  Did you know that instead of scrambling for the Calculator Application, you can actually have a Calculator in Excel itself! Excel has a lot of customizations and one handy tool is to include the Calculator in Excel toolbar.

Key Takeaways:

• Quick Access to Calculator: Adding a calculator to Excel’s toolbar allows you to perform quick calculations without leaving the Excel interface, improving efficiency and workflow.
• Customizable Toolbar Placement: You can add the calculator to the Quick Access Toolbar or the Ribbon, making it conveniently accessible in a location that fits your preferences.
• Steps to Add the Calculator: To add it, go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar (or Customize Ribbon), select Commands Not in the Ribbon, and find Calculator. Add it to the desired toolbar and click OK.
• Improved Productivity: With the calculator integrated into Excel, you no longer need to switch between applications for simple calculations, saving time during data analysis tasks.
• Works Across Versions: This feature is available in most modern Excel versions (2010 and later) and can be set up quickly regardless of the operating system or Excel configuration.

You can literally place it on your Excel window, and it is very easy and handy to open it whenever needed:

 

Adding Excel Calculator to the Quick Access Toolbar would save you a lot of time and could prove to be extremely helpful.

Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) is located at the top-left portion of the Ribbon where you can access the commonly used functions and commands of Excel. To learn more about how to use QAT, go through the tutorial here.

By default, the only options available in QAT are Save, Undo, and Redo. But, it can be customized individually by Excel users. So, if you are one who frequently uses Calculator App with Excel. Adding a calculator to your QAT would be a perfect step!

How to Add Calculator to QAT

The steps for how to create a calculator in Excel are very straightforward. They are outlined below:

STEP 1: Go to the top-left corner of the Excel Ribbon and click the down arrow on the Excel Toolbar.

STEP 2: From the drop-down menu, select More Commands from the list.

STEP 3: Select Commands Not in the Ribbon.

 

STEP 4: Scroll down and select Calculator.  Click Add. 

 

STEP 5: Click OK.

 

STEP 6: Your Calculator icon is now ready.

This will add the Calculator option to the Excel Quick Access Toolbar. Give it a try!

How to Remove Calculator from QAT

Now that you know how to make a calculator in excel, you should also learn how to remove it from the QAT. Follow the steps below to do so:

STEP 1: Go to the top-left corner of the Excel Ribbon and click the down arrow on the Excel Toolbar.

STEP 2: From the drop-down menu, select More Commands from the list.

STEP 3: Under Customize Quick Access Toolbar, select Calculator and click on Remove.

STEP 4: Click OK.

This brings us back to the original QAT composition.

How to Use Calculator in Excel

This calculator tool is an extremely useful tool and does a lot more than just addition and subtraction. There are 4 modes available to use – Standard, Scientific, Programmer, and Date Calculation.

• Standard – It is used for basic math calculations like add, subtract, divide, multiple, finding square root, calculating percentages, and working with fractions.
• Scientific – It is used for functions like log, modulus, exponent, trigonometric degrees, sin, cos, tan, etc.
• Programmer – It is used to switch between different number systems—binary, decimal, hexadecimal, and octal.
• Date Calculation – It is used to calculate the difference between two specific dates.

 

Now, let’s give it a try and learn how to use a Calculator in Excel.

Say, you have to input the difference between two dates – 12th April 2020 and 2nd June 2020 in cell A2 without using any Excel formulas.

Step 1: Click on the calculator icon in QAT

Step 2: Click on the menu button at the top left and then select Date Calculation.

Step 3: Insert the two dates – 12th April 2020 and 2nd June 2020

Step 4: The difference between the two dates will be displayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I add a calculator to the Quick Access Toolbar in Excel?
To add a calculator, go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar. In the dropdown menu under “Choose commands from,” select Commands Not in the Ribbon. Find and select Calculator, then click Add to include it in the Quick Access Toolbar. Click OK to save the changes.

Can I add the calculator to the Ribbon instead of the Quick Access Toolbar?
Yes, you can add it to the Ribbon. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Choose a tab or create a new group, then select Commands Not in the Ribbon and add the Calculator to the desired group. Save the changes, and the calculator will appear in the Ribbon.

What if the calculator option does not appear in the command list?
If the calculator is not listed under Commands Not in the Ribbon, ensure your operating system has a built-in calculator application. Excel simply links to your system’s calculator. If unavailable, check if your system’s calculator is installed or accessible.

Can I use this feature in all versions of Excel?
The ability to add a calculator is available in most modern Excel versions, including Excel 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365. However, the exact steps may slightly vary depending on the version.

How does adding a calculator to Excel improve workflow?
Integrating the calculator into Excel saves time by eliminating the need to switch between Excel and a separate calculator app. It’s especially helpful for quick calculations while working on data analysis or financial models.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you have learned how to add a calculator in Excel toolbar and use it alongside with Excel. You can also use the calculator using macros instead of adding it in the Quick Access Toolbar.