How to Create a Custom Sidebar in Excel for Improved Navigation

Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through a sprawling Excel workbook, struggling to locate the exact worksheet you need? For those managing complex datasets or collaborative projects, navigating Excel can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But what if there was a way to transform your workbook into a streamlined, intuitive interface? Enter the custom sidebar—a innovative solution that not only simplifies navigation but also improves the look and feel of your spreadsheets. Whether you’re a seasoned Excel pro or a casual user, creating a custom sidebar can transform how you interact with your data, making even the most chaotic workbooks feel effortless to manage.

In this exploration, Kenji explains three practical approaches to building a navigation system in Excel, ranging from quick fixes to fully customized solutions. From using Excel’s built-in navigation pane to designing a polished, professional sidebar that mirrors app-like functionality, each method offers unique benefits tailored to your needs. Along the way, you’ll discover how to use hyperlinks, formatting tools, and creative design techniques to craft a workbook that’s as functional as it is visually appealing. Whether you’re looking to save time, impress clients, or simply make your workflow smoother, this guide will equip you with the tools to turn your Excel workbooks into a productivity powerhouse. Sometimes, the smallest changes—like a custom sidebar—can make the biggest difference.

Excel Navigation Simplified

TL;DR Key Takeaways :

The built-in navigation pane is a quick and simple tool for managing worksheets but lacks customization and resets upon reopening the workbook.
A manual table of contents (TOC) allows for greater customization using hyperlinks and formatting but requires manual setup and lacks automatic return links.
Creating a custom sidebar offers a professional, app-like interface with advanced design options, ideal for shared workbooks or polished presentations.
Excel’s hyperlinks can link to external resources, centralizing access to websites, emails, or shared documents for improved collaboration and efficiency.
Choosing the best navigation method depends on your needs: quick access (built-in pane), flexibility (manual TOC), or a polished, professional look (custom sidebar).

Built-in Navigation Pane: A Quick and Simple Solution

Excel’s built-in navigation pane is a straightforward tool designed to help users manage and navigate worksheets with ease. To activate this feature, navigate to the “View” tab and select the “Navigation” option. Once enabled, the navigation pane displays a table of contents listing all the worksheets in your workbook. From this pane, you can rename, delete, or hide sheets directly, making it a convenient option for quick adjustments.

However, the built-in navigation pane has certain limitations:

It resets every time you close the workbook, requiring you to manually reactivate it upon reopening.
It lacks visual customization options, which may not meet the needs of users seeking a more polished or professional appearance.

This method is best suited for users who need a temporary and simple navigation tool without the need for extensive customization. While it is efficient for quick access, it may not be ideal for workbooks shared with teams or clients requiring a more refined design.

Manual Table of Contents: A Customizable Approach

For users who prefer greater control and customization, creating a manual table of contents (TOC) is an excellent option. This method involves dedicating a worksheet to list all the tabs in your workbook and linking each entry to its corresponding sheet using hyperlinks. Follow these steps to set up a manual TOC:

List all worksheet names in a single column on a dedicated worksheet.
Insert hyperlinks for each entry by pressing Ctrl + K or using the `=HYPERLINK` formula.

To enhance the appearance of your TOC, you can use Excel’s formatting tools to:

Apply colors, borders, and gradients to differentiate sections or highlight important worksheets.
Use bold text or contrasting backgrounds to emphasize frequently accessed tabs.

One drawback of this method is the lack of an automatic way to return to the TOC from other worksheets. To address this, you can manually add return links to each sheet, making sure seamless navigation. Despite this limitation, a manual TOC offers flexibility and design options that make it ideal for users who value a personalized and visually appealing navigation system.

How to Make a Custom Sidebar in Excel 2025

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Custom Sidebar Navigation: A Professional and Polished Solution

For those seeking a more advanced and professional approach, designing a custom sidebar is the most effective solution. This method allows you to create an interactive, app-like interface that enhances both functionality and aesthetics. A custom sidebar can be designed to appear on every worksheet, providing consistent and seamless navigation. Here’s how to create one:

Use Excel’s shapes, text boxes, and icons to design the layout of the sidebar.
Add hyperlinks to each element, allowing direct navigation to specific worksheets.

To further refine your sidebar:

Incorporate alignment tools to ensure that elements are evenly spaced and visually balanced.
Use gradients, color palettes, and visual indicators (e.g., highlighting the active worksheet) to create a polished and professional look.
Organize sections with vertical separators or grouped icons for better clarity and usability.

For consistency, replicate the sidebar across all worksheets by copying and pasting the design or using Excel’s grouping feature to apply changes uniformly. Advanced users can also integrate external links, such as email addresses or shared documents, to centralize access to related resources. This method is particularly useful for workbooks shared with teams or clients, as it provides a professional and user-friendly interface.

Additional Features to Enhance Usability

Hyperlinks in Excel offer more than just navigation within a workbook. They can also be used to:

Link to external resources, such as websites, email addresses, or other documents.
Centralize access to team resources, improving collaboration and efficiency.

To further enhance the usability and design of your workbook, consider using Excel’s formatting tools. Adding borders, gradients, and color-coded highlights can improve readability and make your navigation system more intuitive. Alignment tools ensure that sidebar elements are evenly distributed, contributing to a clean and professional appearance.

Choosing the Best Method for Your Needs

Each navigation method offers unique advantages, allowing you to tailor your approach based on your specific requirements:

The built-in navigation pane is ideal for quick and temporary access to worksheets, requiring minimal setup.
A manual TOC provides greater customization and is perfect for users who prioritize flexibility and design.
A custom sidebar delivers a professional, app-like interface, making it the best choice for polished workbooks shared with teams or clients.

By combining these techniques, you can create an Excel workbook that is both functional and visually appealing. Whether you’re managing a personal project or collaborating with a team, these navigation tools will help you optimize your workflow and create a more user-friendly experience.

Media Credit: Kenji Explains

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