Can the Excel Quick Access Toolbar Use Two Lines? Fixes & Space Management
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to expand the Excel Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) into multiple lines to fit more command icons.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to add multiple frequently used tools to the Quick Access Toolbar but running out of visible horizontal screen space.
- Observed behavior
- Excel limits the Quick Access Toolbar strictly to a single row, and any excess commands are hidden under a right-arrow dropdown menu instead of wrapping to a second line.
Ensure you have the Excel desktop application open on your computer, as Quick Access Toolbar customizations and visibility options behave differently or may not be available in Excel for the Web.
Hide Command Labels to Free Up Toolbar Space
Since Excel does not support a two-line toolbar, disabling text labels is the most effective way to fit more tool icons onto the existing single line.
The visible length of the Quick Access Toolbar is limited by the width of your application window. When labels are shown alongside icons, they consume significant horizontal space.
Click the 'Customize Quick Access Toolbar' drop-down arrow located at the far right end of your current Quick Access Toolbar.
Scroll to the bottom of the drop-down menu and click 'Hide Command Labels'.
Alternatively, navigate to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar. Locate the checkbox for 'Always show command labels' at the bottom of the window and uncheck it, then click OK.
Move the Toolbar Below the Ribbon for More Horizontal Space
Placing the Quick Access Toolbar below the ribbon gives it its own dedicated row spanning the entire window width, rather than sharing space with the window title bar and search box.
Easily Customize Quick Access Tools in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet provides a sleek, user-friendly interface that lets you easily manage your most-used commands. Customize your Quick Access Toolbar efficiently in our lightweight and free office suite, keeping your workspace clean without clutter.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing spreadsheet document.
- 2. Access Toolbar Settings: Click the small drop-down arrow right next to the Quick Access Toolbar in the top-left corner of the window.
- 3. Customize Tools: Select 'More Commands' to open the Customization dialog box. From here, choose the features you frequently use from the left pane and click 'Add'.
- 4. Save Preferences: Click 'OK' to apply your new settings and immediately access your favorite tools from the top bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a third-party add-in to force the Excel Quick Access Toolbar to display in two lines?
No. Microsoft Excel's core interface framework strictly limits the Quick Access Toolbar to a single row. Standard third-party add-ins cannot override this core UI restriction, so you must rely on hiding text labels or moving the toolbar below the ribbon.
How do I backup my Quick Access Toolbar settings before changing them?
Go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar. In the bottom right corner of the window, click the 'Import/Export' button and select 'Export all customizations' to save your current layout as a file on your computer.
Why did some of my Quick Access Toolbar icons disappear after I resized my window?
When you resize the Excel window to make it narrower, the Quick Access Toolbar automatically hides icons that no longer fit. These overflow icons are dynamically moved under a small right-pointing double arrow (>>) at the end of the toolbar.
Can I group my Quick Access Toolbar icons into folders to save space?
Excel does not natively support putting folders inside the Quick Access Toolbar. If you have many custom commands, consider building a custom Ribbon tab instead via File > Options > Customize Ribbon, where you can group tools efficiently.
