Microsoft Excel Tips - Annoyed By Those White Quick Access Toolbar Icons In Excel 2016/365?

IMAGE: Microsoft Excel 2007 2010 2013 2016 365 Tips

IMAGE: Excel In Seconds Tips and Tricks from The Excel Addict - Microsoft Excel 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 365

September 11, 2018

Hi fellow Excel Addict,

I know it's been a while since you've heard from me but after being on vacation for three weeks, I came home to a whole lot of work that needed to be done on my website and newsletter. I'll spare you all the details but let's just say that some changes that Google made in July, just before I went on vacation, caused me a whole lot of website problems.

You may have noticed recently that the images in my past newsletters and on my website are not all displaying and many of the links are not working. That is mostly my own fault because of the way I originally set up my website but I am working on it now to make the corrections. I apologize for the delay.

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Today's 'Excel in Seconds' tip concerns an issue that has been annoying Excel users for several years BUT NOT ME. Read on to find out why.

If you find this tip helpful, I hope you'll share it with others who may also benefit from it.

Keep on Excelling,
Francis Hayes (The Excel Addict)
Email: fhayes[AT]TheExcelAddict.com

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Annoyed By Those White Quick Access Toolbar Icons In Excel 2016/365?

If you are using Excel 2016/365 you have probably noticed that the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) displays all of its icons in one boring color — white.

IMAGE: Quick Access Toolbar in Excel 2016/365 with no colors

Many Excel users are annoyed at the white icons on the QAT because, in addition to looking terrible, it often requires an extra second to be sure which tool you need to click on, since some of them look very similar. People have been lobbying Microsoft to fix this ever since Excel 2016 came out but apparently Microsoft doesn't think it's important.

Well, I have never complained about the white icons on the QAT. That's because the icons on my Excel 2016 QAT do have colors.

IMAGE: Quick Access Toolbar With Colors in Microsoft Excel 2007 2010 2013 2016 365

"What?", you say!

Yes, ever since the Quick Access Toolbar was introduced in Excel 2007, I have had colored icons on my Quick Access Toolbar. Heck, I didn't even realize that this change happened in Excel 2106 until someone asked me about it.

How is this possible?

Most users don't realize this but if you move your QAT below the Ribbon, the icons have colors.**

IMAGE: Quick Access Toolbars With Color Below The Ribbon in Microsoft Excel 2007 2010 2013 2016 365

** Note that if you use the default 'colorful' Office theme (File, Options, General), below the Ribbon the icons will be colored and above they will be white. Only when using the 'white' Office theme will your QAT icons be colored either above or below the Ribbon. If you use the 'dark gray' or 'black' Office theme, unfortunately they will be white above or below the Ribbon.

Yes, admittedly you will loose a little bit of screen real estate by moving the QAT below the Ribbon, but personally, I think it's worth it — and not just for the colorful icons.

There are several reasons why you may prefer your QAT below the Ribbon:

If you use the mouse to execute commands more often than keyboard shortcuts, you may find that this little shorter distance to move your mouse to click a command icon will make a big difference;

Since the QAT command buttons are much smaller than the old toolbar buttons from Excel 2003 (remember those?), you may just find it easier and faster to locate them because they are within your 'line of sight' as you are working on your worksheet;

If you like to have a lot of tools on your Quick Access Toolbar, you can display many more below the Ribbon. Above the Ribbon, the filename that is displayed in the Excel window header can limit the number of tools that can be displayed.

If you're ready to try your Quick Access Toolbar below the Ribbon, right click anywhere on the Ribbon and select 'Show Quick Access Toolbar Below the Ribbon'

IMAGE: Show Quick Access Toolbar Below Ribbon in Microsoft Excel 2007 2010 2013 2016 365

Click Reply on this email and let me know your thoughts on this.

'Excel in Seconds' with The Excel Addict

Annoyed By Those White Quick Access Toolbar Icons In Excel 2016/365?

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