How to Disable the Research Pane in Excel: Easy Guide
If the Research pane in Excel keeps popping up while you work, you are not alone. Many users accidentally open it with a shortcut or a right click option. It can interrupt your workflow and block part of your worksheet.
In this guide, I will show you how to disable the Research pane in Excel, how to prevent it from opening again, and how to adjust related settings in Microsoft Excel.
Why the Research Pane Opens Automatically
Before disabling it, it helps to understand why it appears.
The Research pane usually opens because of:
| Trigger | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Alt + Click | Opens Research on selected word |
| Review features | Activates Smart Lookup |
| Add-ins | Some add-ins trigger research services |
| Language tools | Linked to proofing settings |
If you often use keyboard shortcuts in Excel, you may press Alt + Click by mistake. This is the most common reason.
How to Close the Research Pane Temporarily
If the Research pane is already open, you can close it quickly.
Method 1: Click the Close Button
- Look at the top right of the Research pane.
- Click the X button.
That is it. The pane will disappear.
Method 2: Use Keyboard Shortcut
Press:
Alt + Shift + F7
This toggles the Research pane on and off.
How to Disable Research Pane in Excel Permanently
Excel does not provide a direct “Disable Research Pane” button. However, you can prevent it from opening by adjusting settings.
Below are the most effective solutions.
Method 1: Disable Smart Lookup in Excel Options
The Research pane is linked to Smart Lookup. Turning off this feature helps stop automatic popups.
- Open Excel.
- Click File.
- Select Options.
- Go to General tab.
- Scroll to the privacy section.
- Click Privacy Settings.
- Disable optional connected experiences.
This prevents Excel from using online research services.
If you are using Microsoft 365 Excel, the wording may be slightly different, but the path is similar.
Method 2: Disable Research Using Group Policy (Advanced)
For business or enterprise users, administrators can disable research tools.
Using Group Policy Editor in Windows:
- Press Win + R.
- Type
gpedit.msc. - Navigate to Microsoft Office settings.
- Disable Research and Smart Lookup services.
This method is mostly used in managed environments where Excel settings are controlled centrally.
Method 3: Disable Add-ins That Trigger Research
Sometimes Excel add-ins cause the Research pane to open.
- Click File.
- Select Options.
- Go to Add-ins.
- At the bottom, choose COM Add-ins.
- Click Go.
Uncheck suspicious or unnecessary add-ins.
Restart Excel and check if the issue continues.
Differences Between Excel Versions
The steps to disable the Research pane are similar across versions, but menus may look slightly different.
| Excel Version | Smart Lookup Available | Connected Experience Control |
|---|---|---|
| Excel 2016 | Yes | Limited |
| Excel 2019 | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 | Yes | Full control |
| Excel 2013 | Research only | No Smart Lookup |
Older versions like Excel 2013 rely mainly on the Research pane, while newer versions connect it with online services.
How Research Pane Affects Performance
Many users ask whether the Research pane slows down Excel.
In general:
- It does not heavily impact performance.
- It may use internet resources.
- It can distract from worksheet tasks.
If you work with large files, pivot tables, or complex formulas such as VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, or INDEX MATCH, keeping the interface clean helps you stay focused.
Common Issues After Disabling Research
After turning off connected experiences, you may notice:
- Smart Lookup does not work
- Online translation features are disabled
- Some cloud-based suggestions disappear
This is normal because Research relies on online services.
If needed, you can re-enable the settings anytime.
Best Practices to Prevent Research Pane from Reopening
Here are simple tips to avoid the Research pane in Excel:
- Avoid pressing Alt + Click
- Disable optional connected experiences
- Remove unnecessary add-ins
- Keep Excel updated
- Use proper keyboard habits
If you share workbooks with others, remember that this setting is user-based. It does not travel with the file.
When Should You Keep the Research Pane Enabled
There are situations where the Research feature is useful:
- Writing reports inside Excel
- Academic data entry
- Working with definitions or translations
- Using Smart Lookup frequently
If you do not use Excel for writing tasks, disabling it makes sense.
Summary
The Research pane in Excel can interrupt your workflow, especially when it opens accidentally. While Excel does not offer a single “Disable Research Pane” button, you can effectively stop it by:
- Turning off Smart Lookup
- Disabling connected experiences
- Managing add-ins
- Avoiding Alt + Click shortcuts
- Using Group Policy in enterprise environments
These methods work across most versions of Microsoft Excel, including Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, and Excel 2016.
If the Research pane keeps appearing, review your privacy settings first. In most cases, that solves the problem quickly and permanently.
FAQs
Can I completely disable the Research pane in Excel?
What keyboard shortcut opens the Research pane in Excel?
How do I stop Smart Lookup from opening in Excel?
Does disabling the Research pane affect other Excel features?
Why does the Research pane keep opening automatically?
Can administrators disable the Research pane for all users?
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.