Daily Top Tip 7 - Customising Your Office Toolbar for Efficiency
In the realm of digital productivity, making your workspace work for you is the ultimate goal. Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint offer a myriad of features and functionalities, but sometimes, getting to them quickly is the key to efficiency. In this blog post, we’ll explore the power of customizing your Office toolbar to streamline your workflow and boost your productivity.
Why Customise Your Toolbar?
Every professional using Microsoft Office applications can benefit from a customized toolbar. It’s like having your favorite tools at your fingertips. With a customised toolbar, you can:
Access frequently used functions quickly:
- Instead of digging through menus, you can add shortcuts for the tools you use most often.
Reduce repetitive tasks:
- Streamlining your toolbar can eliminate redundant steps, saving time and reducing frustration.
Personalise your workspace:
- A customised toolbar allows you to create an environment that suits your specific needs and work style.
Customising Your Toolbar in Office Applications
Let’s dive into the process of customising your toolbar in popular Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint:
Customising the Toolbar in Microsoft Word:
1. Access the Ribbon:
Open Microsoft Word and click on the ribbon at the top of the window.
2. Right-Click the Ribbon:
Find a blank area on the ribbon, right-click it, and select “Customise the Ribbon.”
3. Add Commands:
In the “Word Options” window, you’ll see a list of commands on the left and the ribbon on the right. Select a command from the left and click “Add” to include it in the ribbon.
4. Organise and Remove Commands:
Use the arrows to arrange the order of commands on your customised ribbon. To remove a command, select it and click “Remove.”
5. Create Custom Tabs:
You can even create your own custom tabs to group related commands. Click “New Tab” to get started.
6. Save Your Changes:
Once you’re satisfied with your custom toolbar, click “OK” to save your changes.
Customising the Toolbar in Microsoft Excel:
1. Access the Ribbon:
Open Microsoft Excel and click on the ribbon at the top of the window.
2. Customise Quick Access Toolbar:
To customise the Quick Access Toolbar (above the ribbon), click the dropdown arrow and select “More Commands.”
3. Add Commands:
In the Excel Options window, you can choose commands from the left and add them to the toolbar on the right.
4. Organise and Remove Commands:
Use the arrows to reorder commands and the “Remove” button to remove them from the toolbar.
5. Create Custom Tabs:
You can create custom tabs in Excel, just like in Word.
6. Save Your Changes:
After customising your toolbar, click “OK” to save your changes.
Customising the Toolbar in Microsoft PowerPoint:
1. Access the Ribbon:
Open Microsoft PowerPoint and click on the ribbon at the top of the window.
2. Customise Quick Access Toolbar:
Like in Excel, you can customise the Quick Access Toolbar in PowerPoint by clicking the dropdown arrow and selecting “More Commands.”
3. Add Commands:
In the PowerPoint Options window, add commands to the toolbar on the right.
4. Organise and Remove Commands:
Reorder commands using the arrows and remove unnecessary ones.
5. Create Custom Tabs:
Custom tabs can also be created in PowerPoint for grouping commands.
6. Save Your Changes:
When you’re satisfied with your custom toolbar, click “OK” to save your changes.
Conclusion: Personalised Efficiency
Customising your Office toolbar is a simple yet highly effective way to optimise your work environment. By adding the tools and functions you use most frequently and removing those you rarely need, you’ll streamline your workflow, save time, and enhance your overall efficiency. So, why wait? Customise your Office toolbar today, and let your workspace work for you!