How to Add a Macro to a Toolbar

Some applications allow representing a macro with an icon instead of text.

Macros are programs that extend the features of another application, such as a word processor or design program. The specific steps for assigning a macro to a toolbar vary among program manufacturers, but adding macros to toolbars provides access to your work-saving programs in a quick, efficient fashion.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word
• Open Office Writer
• CorelDraw

Instructions

Add a Word Macro to the Toolbar

1. Open Word. Click the "View" tab, then click "Macros."

2. Click the "Record Macro" item, then type "MyMacro" for the macro's name and click "OK" to begin recording.

3. Type a few letters in the document, then click the square button near the lower left corner of Word's window to stop the macro recording.

4. Click the down arrow located at the far right of the small group of icons to the right of the Office button in Word's upper left corner.

5. Click the "More Commands" item, then select the "Macros" item from the drop-down list on the left.

6. Click the "MyMacro" item in the left pane, then click "Add" to add your macro to the "Quick Access" toolbar.

7. Click the customization dialog box's "Close" button to close the box. Word will display a new "Quick Access" icon representing your "MyMacro" macro.

Add a CorelDraw Macro to a Toolbar

1. Open CorelDraw and create a new document by pressing "Control-N" and pressing "Enter."

2. Click the "Tools" menu. Click "Macro," then "Start Recording." Type "MyMacro" for your macro's name and press "OK."

3. Press "F5" to run the freehand tool, then scribble any shape on the drawing canvas.

4. Click the "Stop Recording" button of the "Macro" menu item.

5. Click the "Customize" item of the "Tools" menu, then click the "Commands" item of the window that appears.

6. Select "Macros" from the drop-down list, then drag the "MyMacro" item to any toolbar. Release the mouse to install the macro on the toolbar.

Add an OpenOffice Writer Macro to the Toolbar

1. Open the OpenOffice "Writer" program. Click the "Tools" menu, then click the "Macro" submenu. Click "Record Macro." A small, floating toolbar will appear, providing a button to stop recording.

2. Type a few letters for the macro to record, then click the "Stop Recording" button on the floating toolbar.

3. Type "MyMacro" in the dialog box that appears, then click the "Save" button to store the macro.

4. Click the "Customize" item of the "Tools" menu, then click the "Add" button in the new dialog box.

5. Click the left pane's "Macros" category, then click the "+" icon of the "MyMacros" tree.

6. Click "MyMacro" in the right pane, then click the "Add" button to add your macro to the standard toolbar. Your macro now appears under the "File" menu, at the far left of the standard toolbar.

References

• Open Office Writer: Customizing Toolbars
• Microsoft: Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
• "CorelDraw X5: The Official Guide"; Gary David Bouton; 2010