One of the more frustrating features of Excel is that the default setting for the menu display is set to 'Show full menus after a short delay'. With this setting Excel only displays the menu items that have been chosen in the past and the full menu only appears after a delay.

To see all the menu items all the time right click the toolbar and select Customise. Select the Options tab and tick the checkbox for 'Always show full menus'. Click Close. Now all the menus will display all the time.

Neale Blackwood a senior business analyst with Access Analytic Solutions, which provides financial modelling, management reporting services, as well as advanced Excel training. You can email Neale at nblackwood@accessanalytic.com.au