Word - Missing tabs in ribbon

Copper Contributor

Hi!

I'm new to this community. I have added a couple of new tabs and buttons  with macros to my Word 365 ribbon, but they keep dissapearing when I re-start Word. The macros are there but the tabs and buttons are not.  Any suggestion how can I solve this issue? Thank you very much!

5 Replies

@alugris 

Your recorded macros are stored, by default, in your Normal.dotm template. (That is likely not the best place to store them. Organizing your macros by Beth Melton, Word MVP 

 

Ribbon customization is stored in a separate file: Word.CustomUI.

You can back these up using Export/Import.

 

I prefer actually modifying the ribbon using XML, but that requires more time. It makes for a much more durable, flexible, portable, and shareable ribbon modification. Customize the Office

Ribbon (It doesn't take rocket science) by Greg Maxey  In my opinion it is worth learning.

 

Are you, by chance, in a corporate environment with an IT department?

 

You may want to, instead, add your macros to your Quick Access Toolbar.

Modifying the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Microsoft Word

Such modifications should be stored in the same template that holds the macros.

@Charles_Kenyon 

 

Thank you! 

I had come upo with the idea of storing my macros in different templates according to projects, but that didn't work. I'll try customizing the ribbon as you suggest, but I'm afraid it will take some time, since I've never done it. The reference you gave me will be very useful, thanks again. 

 

I'm actually a teacher, and those macros I made are for editing papers and marking exercises. 

@alugris 

Keep in mind that far easier to do in the regular user interface is to put your macros on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Doing this is a bit of work but requires nowhere near the time it takes to learn XML ribbon editing. Remember that you can put the QAT under your Ribbon (Windows) and can customize the icons.

You can also add Keyboard Shortcuts to your macros. Assigning Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Word 2007-2021 (365) 

 

@Charles_Kenyon 

 

Thanks again, Charles!

I've already sent my macros to the QAT and stored them in a global template. Now I'm trying to learn the hard solution 😉
Thank you very much for your time and advice!

You are welcome. If you can take the time, I think you will find the XML methods very useful. Be careful though, it can be a rabbit hole for your time and attention.