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Excel - Improve Efficiency in Excel - Add Most-Used Icons to Quick Access Toolbar - Episode 398

190 views · Published 12 October 2009 · 3:45 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: MrExcel.com · 2009 · Education

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Microsoft Excel Tutorial: Customize the Quick Access Toolbar with most-used commands.

Welcome back to the MrExcel podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into Excel 2007 and discussing the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT). As many of you may know, the QAT is the only customizable toolbar in Excel 2007, unlike in previous versions where all toolbars were fully customizable.

In Excel 2003, we had the ability to add, remove, and rearrange buttons on any toolbar. We could even float toolbars and palettes above our worksheet for easy access. However, in Excel 2007, Microsoft has limited us to only the QAT at the top of the screen. This means that all of our favorite buttons and commands must be added to the QAT for quick access.

To customize the QAT, simply right-click on it and select "Show Below the Ribbon." This will give you more space to add icons. You can then right-click on any button or command and select "Add to Quick Access Toolbar" to add it. The QAT can hold about 40 icons before they are placed in an expandable area on the right-hand side.

But the real power of customizing the QAT lies in the Excel Options menu. Here, you can access a wide range of commands, including ones that are not available anywhere else in Excel 2007. Simply go to the "Customize" tab and select "Commands Not In the Ribbon." This will show you all the commands from Excel 2003 that are not in the ribbon. You can then add them to the QAT for easy access.

One new feature in Excel 2007 is the ability to customize the QAT for all workbooks or just the current workbook. This means that you can have different icons on the QAT depending on the workbook you have open. However, this is still a far cry from the fully customizable toolbars we had in Excel 2003. Unless you're willing to dive into programming with XML and RibbonX, the QAT is our only option for customization.

Thanks for tuning in to today's episode! Don't forget to join us tomorrow for another Excel 2007 tip. And for those of you still using Excel 2003, we'll see you on Friday for a special episode just for you. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Excel tips and tricks. See you next time!

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Table of Contents:
(00:00) Introduction to Excel 2007 Thursday
(00:24) Comparison of toolbars in Excel 2003 and 2007
(01:07) Customization options in Excel 2007
(01:50) Adding icons to the Quick Access Toolbar
(02:00) Advanced customization options in Excel Options
(02:41) Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar for all workbooks or just the current workbook
(03:07) Disappointing limitations of Excel 2007's customization options
(03:22) Clicking Like really helps the algorithm

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The only toolbar that is easy to customize in Excel 2007 is the QAT or Quick Access Toolbar. Episode 398 shows you how to customize the QAT with your favorite icons.

This blog is the video netcast companion to the upcoming book, Excel 2007 Miracles Made Easy. Download a new two minute video every Tuesday and Thursday to learn one of the tips from the book!

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