How to Create New Custom Toolbars in Microsoft Word 2003

Many users of word processors rely upon the intuitiveness and usefulness of such applications to create the documents they require with ease. In the past word processors were only so effective and many were limited by the features that they offered, namely, lack of custom tools and toolbars on the command bar. However, the newer versions of these programs, like Microsoft Word 2003, allows for users to entirely customize the toolbars to make their word processing experience as efficient as possible.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Word 2003

1. Access the tools customized menu. Click on “Tools” and then scroll to and click on “Customize.” A toolbars customization properties box will open.

2. Create a new toolbar. Click on the “Toolbars” tab in the properties window that opens. Now click on the “New” button to create and name your new toolbar. In the toolbar box that opens enter the name of the toolbar under the “Name” field and then click on “Okay.” A new toolbar will appear on the word document, click on and drag the toolbar until it is added to the command bar menu.

3. Setup your new toolbar for customization. Click on the downward pointing arrow on the lower right of the new toolbar that you just added. Select “Add or Remove Buttons” and then click on “Customize” from the dropdown menu that opens. Click on the “Commands” tab in the new box that opens. A list of all available toolbar commands will populate the menu. Click on “Categories” to the left to select different command categories. Each category that you select will display a new list of “Commands” to the right.

4. Add buttons to your new toolbar. To add buttons from the command list, simply left-click on the desired command and drag it to your new tool bar. A black line will appear to the left of the button when the toolbar recognizes that you are adding it. Release the mouse button and the command will be added to the toolbar.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a custom toolbar and remember to delete it if you do not use it too often to avoid clutter on the command bar.
• Creating too many custom toolbars can clutter up the command bar.

[triciagoss]

on 9/28/2008 Great, simple, straightforward steps. Nice piece!