How to Format the Toolbar in Word

Word Toolbar

The toolbar in Microsoft Word contains a lot of information and options. The purpose of the toolbar is to save you the trouble of finding the same options in the menus at the top of the screen. If there are unnecessary items on the toolbar that you rarely use or if you have trouble navigating around so many different buttons, you can format the toolbar to save yourself time and frustration. Formatting the toolbar lets you customize Word to fit your needs by placing the items that you use the most in the toolbar.

Instructions

1. Click on the double arrow. This is located at the end of the toolbar. Depending on your setting, it may also be a single downward arrow. When you move your mouse over the arrow, it will have a pop-up that says "Toolbar Options."

2. Change the number of rows. If you need all of the buttons on the Word toolbar, try changing the number of rows. From the Toolbar Options menu, select "Show Buttons on Two Rows." This frees up space on each row and may help you see the icons better. Go back to the same menu and press "Show Buttons on One Row" to revert to the normal formatting.

3. Choose the buttons that you use the most. You can see a description of each button by putting your mouse over it on the Word toolbar. If the icon doesn't seem necessary to you, remove it. Go to the Toolbar Options menu. Select "Add or Remove Buttons" and then "Standard." The check marks are inserted by items that are on the toolbar. Take the check mark off any items that you don't want and check any icons that you want to be easily accessible. From the Toolbar menu, click on "Add or Remove Buttons." Choose the "Formatting" option. Here you will find icons such as "bold" or "italics"; you can even have the font grow as you type.

4. Add toolbars. You can have more than one toolbar in Microsoft Word. Start out on the Toolbar Options menu. Click "Add or Remove Buttons" and then "Customize." The Toolbars tab lets you choose anything from a standard toolbar to 3-D settings. Use the word count toolbar to easily keep track of how long your document is.

5. Customize commands. From the Customize menu, click on the "Commands" tab. Choose icons that will help you save your work or draw from your toolbar.

6. Change the icon size. If the icons on the toolbar are difficult for you to read, go to the Customize menu and press on the "Options" tab. Click on "Large Icons."

References

• Format Word Toolbar

Resources

• Make Your Own Word Toolbar