Tip: Add Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Excel is a powerful tool for quick access to commonly used commands. Here are 15 frequently used Excel commands that you might find useful to add to your Quick Access Toolbar:

  1. Save: Quickly save your workbook without having to use the keyboard shortcut or navigate through the ribbon.
  2. Undo: Undo the last action, especially handy when you need to reverse a mistake.
  3. Redo: Reverse the action of the “Undo” command, useful for reapplying changes.
  4. New Workbook: Start a new Excel workbook without going through the File menu.
  5. Print Preview: Preview your workbook before printing to ensure it looks as expected.
  6. Page Layout View: Switch to Page Layout view to see how your spreadsheet will look when printed.
  7. Sort Ascending/Descending: Quickly sort selected data in ascending or descending order.
  8. Filter: Apply or remove filters on selected cells, making it easy to analyze data.
  9. Bold/Italic/Underline: Format text in cells with these commonly used formatting options.
  10. Align Left/Center/Right: Align the content of selected cells to the left, center, or right.
  11. Insert Row/Column: Quickly insert a new row or column into your worksheet.
  12. Delete Row/Column: Remove a row or column without using the right-click menu.
  13. Autosum: Sum the selected cells with a single click, saving you from typing out a formula.
  14. Function Library: Access common functions, such as SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT, directly from the toolbar.
  15. Format Painter: Copy the formatting from one cell and apply it to another with ease.

By customizing your Quick Access Toolbar with these frequently used commands, you can significantly improve your Excel workflow and efficiency.

How to Add the QAT

If the QAT IS NOT visible, here is how to add it (if already visible – follow these steps):

  • Right-click anywhere on an active ribbon (Home, Insert, etc.) and select Show Quick Access Toolbar
  • The QAT should be added either above or below the Ribbon
  • Right-click anywhere on the QAT – depending on if you right-click on an existing button or an open area, select Customize Quick Access Toolbar… in the pop-up box
right-click on open area
right-click on QAT button

Once the QAT is visible, follow these steps to add commands/buttons:

  • In the Excel Options dialog box that opens, select “All Commands” (there are other options as well such as “Popular Commands” from the “Choose commands from” dropdown menu.
    1. Scroll through the list, select the command you want to add (Example: Save),
    2. Click the “Add > >” button to add it to the QAT.
    3. You should see the button on the right pane.
      – Arrange the commands using the up and down arrows on the right side of the dialog box if necessary.
      – Click OK to save your changes.

If the QAT IS already visible, here is how to open up the options menu:

  1. Click the dropdown arrow at the end of the QAT
  2. Choose “More Commands…” from the dropdown menu
  1. Now you can customize buttons/commands