How to Make a Custom Sidebar in Excel? (3 Easy Methods)

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Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program used for data analysis, reporting, and business management, but sometimes navigating through multiple worksheets can feel overwhelming. If you work with large Excel files, scrolling through tabs at the bottom to find the right sheet is both slow and frustrating.

That’s where a custom sidebar in Excel comes in handy. A sidebar acts as an interactive navigation menu, allowing you to move between worksheets, tables, or even run tasks with a single click. In this guide, you’ll learn three methods to create your own sidebar; from a basic navigation pane to a fully customized interactive menu that looks like part of a professional dashboard.

Why Build a Custom Sidebar in Excel?

Here are some reasons why a sidebar can transform how you use Excel:

• Quick access: Jump to any worksheet or table without endless scrolling.
• Better usability: Create a clean and organized interface that feels like an app.
• Improved productivity: Save time by linking worksheets, data, and actions.
• Professional design: Build dashboards that are easier to present and share.

Method 1: Basic Navigation Pane

The simplest way to create a sidebar in Excel is by using the built-in Navigation feature. This works like a table of contents, showing all your worksheets and objects in one panel.

Steps:

1. Open your Excel workbook.
2. Go to the View tab on the Ribbon.
3. Select Navigation.

Once activated, a panel opens on the right-hand side. This panel lists all worksheets, tables, charts, and named ranges in your workbook.

You can:

• Click a worksheet name to go directly to it.
• Search for tables or sheets using the search bar.
• Rename, delete, or hide worksheets with right-click options.

Limitations of this method:

• The panel disappears when you close and reopen Excel.
• Many users don’t know this feature exists.
• The design is simple and not customizable.

This makes the navigation pane useful for quick access, but not ideal for a permanent sidebar solution.

Method 2: Table of Contents (TOC)

A more flexible method is to create a Table of Contents worksheet that acts as your sidebar. Instead of using Excel’s default panel, you design your own page with clickable links.

Steps:

1. Insert a new worksheet at the beginning of your file.
2. List all worksheet names (e.g., Welcome, Purchases, Cash Flow, Information).
3. Format the page:
   • Add a background color for better design.
   • Create a bold title (e.g., “Project Dashboard 2025”).
   • Use borders to separate sections.
4. Turn sheet names into clickable links:
   • Select the text.
   • Press Ctrl + K (Insert Hyperlink).
   • Choose Place in This Document and link it to the correct sheet.

Alternatively, you can use the HYPERLINK formula:

=HYPERLINK("#'Purchases'!A1","Go to Purchases")

This will make “Go to Purchases” clickable and send you directly to the Purchases worksheet.

Example TOC Layout:

Advantages:

• Easy to build.
• Fully customizable with colors, fonts, and logos.
• Works in all Excel versions.

Limitations:

• You must return manually to the TOC sheet after navigating.
• Large files with many sheets may make this method less efficient.

Method 3: Custom Navigation Menu (Best Option)

If you want something that looks and feels like a professional sidebar, you can design a custom navigation menu inside Excel using shapes, icons, and hyperlinks. This method gives you a sleek interface similar to a business app.

Step 1: Remove gridlines

• Go to View > Gridlines and uncheck it.
• This creates a clean space for your sidebar design.

Step 2: Insert a rectangle for the sidebar background

• Go to Insert > Shapes > Rectangle.
• Draw the shape along the left-hand side (e.g., columns A–C).
• Format it with no outline and a gradient fill for a modern look.
• You can use color palettes from free tools like Color Hunt to pick matching colors.

Step 3: Add text boxes for worksheet names

• Go to Insert > Shapes > Text Box.
• Type sheet names like “Welcome,” “Purchases,” “Cash Flow,” etc.
• Change text color to white and remove background fill.
• Align text boxes evenly using Shape Format > Align > Align Left and Distribute Vertically.

Step 4: Insert icons for a professional design

• Go to Insert > Icons and choose icons related to each sheet (e.g., Home, Shopping Cart, Dollar Sign).
• Place each icon next to its text label.
• Adjust color to match your sidebar theme.

Step 5: Hyperlink each item

• Select a text box or icon.
• Press Ctrl + K.
• Link it to the corresponding worksheet.
• Repeat for all sheets.

Step 6: Add a highlight effect for the active sheet

• Insert a rounded rectangle shape.
• Place it behind the active sheet name.
• Change its color to a light highlight (e.g., green or blue).
• Send the background sidebar shape to back so the highlight is visible.

Step 7: Add a vertical line for design

• Insert a thin line on the edge of the sidebar.
• Use the same highlight color to emphasize the active sheet.

Now, when you click each sidebar item, Excel automatically jumps to the correct worksheet. The highlight moves with you, giving the feeling of a dynamic app interface.

Comparing the Three Methods to Make a Custom Sidebar in Excel

Pro Tips for Custom Sidebars

• Keep it simple: Don’t overload with too many links.
• Use company branding: Apply corporate colors and logos for consistency.
• Combine with macros: Add VBA scripts to buttons for automation.
• Design for users: Make sure the sidebar is intuitive for colleagues.
• Test navigation: Ensure all hyperlinks work correctly.

Final Thoughts

A custom sidebar in Excel is more than a design trick—it’s a powerful way to improve navigation and efficiency.

• If you want something quick, use the Navigation Pane.
• If you need more control, create a Table of Contents.
• And if you want a sleek, interactive interface, design a Custom Navigation Menu with shapes, icons, and hyperlinks.

Once you build your sidebar, your Excel files will feel organized, interactive, and user-friendly, making them easier to use for you and anyone you share them with.

Vaishvi Desai

Vaishvi Desai is the founder of Excelsamurai and a passionate Excel enthusiast with years of experience in data analysis and spreadsheet management. With a mission to help others harness the power of Excel, Vaishvi shares her expertise through concise, easy-to-follow tutorials on shortcuts, formulas, Pivot Tables, and VBA.