Quick Access Toolbar on by default

(Originally published on April 5, 2023 by Hannah Kieffer)

 

Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders! My name is Hannah Kieffer and I’m a Product Manager on the Office Suite Experiences team. I’m excited to share that we have heard your feedback and moved commonly used commands back to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT).

 

Quick Access Toolbar on by default

 

In the Microsoft 365 Visual Refresh, we delivered a simpler and more coherent experience across the Microsoft 365 apps using the Fluent Design principles. As part of the refresh, the QAT was hidden by default, and the Undo and Redo commands were moved to the Home tab.

 

Through surveys and in-app feedback, you let us know that this change was disruptive and slowed your workflow. Specifically, you mentioned that the placement of the Undo and Redo commands on the Home tab required extra clicks and tab navigation. Additionally, some of you also missed being able to hide the AutoSave command from the title bar.

 

We heard you! With this update, the QAT is now shown by default and includes the Undo, Redo, and Save commands, and the AutoSave has found its rightful place back on the title bar. You can quickly customize the QAT to keep only the commands you need.

 

Thank you for taking the time to let us know this change wasn’t quite right. Your feedback is invaluable, and we are listening.

 

How it works

There are two different scenarios based on your current experience:

 

1. If your QAT is currently hidden, the QAT will be made visible above the ribbon with the AutoSave, Save, Undo and Redo commands. You can customize this by right-clicking the QAT and selecting Customize.

    

   QAT visible above the ribbon in Word on Windows 11

    

2. If your QAT is currently visible, the AutoSave, Save, Undo, and Redo commands will be added to its left side. Custom commands and QAT location will be preserved. You can customize it by right-clicking the QAT and selecting Customize.

    

   QAT with customization visible below the ribbon in Word on Windows 11

    

To add or remove commands, click the More commands down arrow on the right side of the QAT, and then select Customize.

 

Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar in Word on Windows 11

 

Tips and Tricks

If you haven’t tried the new Visual Refresh preview yet, in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote for Windows, simply click the megaphone icon to open the Coming Soon pane and use the toggle to move between the experiences. The setting will apply to all Microsoft 365 Windows Desktop apps.

 

Turning on the Visual Refresh in Word on Windows 11

 

Availability

This feature is available to Insiders running Version 2305 (Build 16403.20000) or later.

 

Features are released over some time to ensure things are working smoothly. We highlight features that you may not have because they’re slowly releasing to larger numbers of Insiders. Sometimes we remove elements to further improve them based on your feedback. Though this is rare, we also reserve the option to pull a feature entirely out of the product, even if you, as an Insider, have had the opportunity to try it.

 

Feedback

We would love to continue to hear from you! You help make our products better. Inside the app, click Help > Feedback, share your thoughts, and add #QAT.

 

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