How to Find the Quick Access Toolbar in Excel – Step by Step Guide

Key Takeaways:

• The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) provides one-click access to frequently used commands in Excel.
• It is usually located above the Ribbon but can be moved below for convenience.
• If the QAT is missing, check if it’s hidden or customize it through the Ribbon.
• You can reset the QAT to its default settings without affecting other Excel customizations.
• Additional commands, even those not on the Ribbon, can be added to the QAT for easier access.

Seamless Navigation: The Quick Access Toolbar in Excel

Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

Imagine a personal assistant in Excel, designed exclusively to place your most-used commands a single click away – that’s the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) for you. Whether it’s saving a document, undoing an action, or any other frequent task, the QAT ensures these options are never buried under layers of menus. Consider it a permanent resident atop the Excel window, providing a shortcut to efficacy.

Locate the Quick Access Toolbar in Excel

Typically, you’ll find the Quick Access Toolbar situated above the Excel Ribbon, that colorful strip of tabs packing numerous functionalities. Nestled into the window’s upper-left corner, it hosts default icons like AutoSave, Save, Undo, and Redo. However, should my preference lean towards having this tool closer to my work area, moving it below the Ribbon is a breeze. Just a couple of clicks through the interface and voilà – the QAT adjusts itself according to my workflow convenience.

Can’t Find Quick Access Toolbar?

Check If It’s Hidden: Sometimes, the Quick Access Toolbar might be hidden. Perform the following steps to bring it back.

STEP 1: Click on the small downward arrow or a small triangle near the bottom right of the Ribbon.

STEP 2: Click on “Show Quick Access Toolbar” and Voila!

Use the Ribbon: If you can’t see the Quick Access Toolbar, you might be able to customize it from the Ribbon.

STEP 1: Go to the “File” tab, then select “Options.”

STEP 2: In the Excel Options dialog, choose “Quick Access Toolbar” from the list on the left.

STEP 3: Check the box “Show Quick Access Toolbar” and click on “OK” to find your Quick Access Toolbar to be back.

If it’s still not visible, you might need to customize your Ribbon

STEP 1: Right-click any empty space on the Ribbon.

STEP 2: Click on the “Show Quick Access Toolbar”.

Troubleshooting the Elusive Toolbar

Restoring Default Settings for Quick Access Toolbar

On occasions where my explorations and customizations within the Quick Access Toolbar have led me astray, and I crave to start afresh, resetting to the default settings is just a few clicks away. I open up the ‘Customize the Quick Access Toolbar’ menu where a ‘Reset’ button stands ready to restore order. A confirmation click on ‘Reset only Quick Access Toolbar’ rolls back the clock to the original command lineup, providing me with a clean slate

What’s reassuring is that this reset action is delicate, targeting only the QAT without disturbing other personalizations throughout Excel, ensuring my other preferences remain intact.

FAQs: Quick Solutions At a Glance

What is the quick access toolbar in Excel?

The Quick Access Toolbar in Excel is a convenient little toolbar that allows for quick clicks to the commands you use most frequently. It’s customizable and sits either above or below the Ribbon, ensuring these essential commands are always at your fingertips, no matter which tab you’re working in.

Why is quick access not showing in Excel?

Quick Access is not showing in Excel, which could be due to its accidental removal from view, Excel settings being altered, or a glitch. Toggling the visibility within the Excel Options or resetting the toolbar often remedies this. If that doesn’t work, exploring deeper system or software issues may be necessary.

Why can’t I see the Quick Access Toolbar in Excel?

If you can’t see the Quick Access Toolbar in Excel, it might have been accidentally hidden or displaced due to an update or an incorrect display setting. Ensuring Excel is updated and checking the Excel options to see if the toolbar is enabled but not visible on your screen could provide a quick solution to this hiccup.

How do I restore my Quick Access Toolbar to default settings?

To restore my Quick Access Toolbar to default settings, I swing into the Excel options and hit the ‘Customize Quick Access Toolbar’ section. From there, a simple click on the ‘Reset’ button followed by ‘Reset only Quick Access Toolbar’ reinstates the original set of commands, breathing simplicity back into my workspace.

Can I add commands to the Quick Access Toolbar that are not on the ribbon?

Yes, indeed! You can add commands to the Quick Access Toolbar that aren’t present on the Excel Ribbon. Dive into the ‘More Commands’ option, select ‘Commands Not in the Ribbon’, choose your desired command, and add it to the Toolbar to make your workflow even smoother.

John Michaloudis

Founder & Chief Inspirational Officer at MyExcelOnline.com

John Michaloudis is a former accountant and finance analyst at General Electric, a Microsoft MVP since 2020, an Amazon #1 bestselling author of 4 Microsoft Excel books and teacher of Microsoft Excel & Office over at his flagship MyExcelOnline Academy Online Course.