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How to Add Search Next and Previous Buttons to the Word Toolbar
Question details
The user wants to navigate document search results using Next and Previous buttons without having to keep the Navigation pane open.
- Product
- Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365)
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating through find results efficiently after the legacy scrollbar navigation buttons were removed in recent Word versions.
- Observed behavior
- Recent versions of Word for Microsoft 365 no longer display the Next and Previous search buttons at the bottom of the vertical scrollbar.
Ensure you have a document open in Microsoft Word, as you will need access to the Word Options menu to customize your Quick Access Toolbar.
Add Browse Commands to the Quick Access Toolbar
This is the best workaround to replicate the old scrollbar buttons, allowing you to click Next and Previous directly from your top toolbar.
Since Microsoft removed the classic scrollbar buttons, adding the native 'BrowseNext' and 'BrowsePrevious' commands to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) is the closest alternative for seamless navigation.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of Microsoft Word, then select 'Options' at the very bottom of the menu.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Quick Access Toolbar' in the left-hand navigation pane.
Under the 'Choose commands from' dropdown menu, change the selection from 'Popular Commands' to 'All Commands'.
Scroll down the alphabetical list and click on 'BrowseNext', then click the 'Add >>' button in the middle. Repeat this exact process for the 'BrowsePrevious' command.
Click 'OK' at the bottom of the window. You will now see two new arrows in your Quick Access Toolbar at the top of your screen to navigate search results.
Use the Navigation Pane Arrows
Use the built-in Navigation Pane as the modern default method for moving between search results in newer versions of Word.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Navigation
Use standard keyboard shortcuts to jump to the next search result without touching your mouse or editing your toolbars.
Navigate Search Results Easily with WPS Writer
If you prefer classic and intuitive document navigation without having to reconfigure missing toolbars, WPS Office offers a straightforward Find and Replace interface. The essential 'Find Next' and 'Find Previous' buttons are built right into the main search dialog, saving you time and screen space.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office Free and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 3. Open Find and Replace: Press 'Ctrl + F' to instantly bring up the dedicated Find and Replace dialog box.
- 4. Navigate with Ease: Type your search term and click the highly visible 'Find Next' or 'Find Previous' buttons directly in the pop-up window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft remove the Next and Previous buttons from the Word scrollbar?
Microsoft updated the user interface in Microsoft 365 to modernize and declutter the workspace. As part of this update, search navigation was consolidated into the left-hand Navigation pane, and the legacy scrollbar buttons were removed.
Can I completely restore the old scrollbar buttons in Word 365?
No, there is no built-in setting or registry tweak to bring back the classic buttons specifically to the bottom of the scrollbar. Adding the 'BrowseNext' and 'BrowsePrevious' commands to the Quick Access Toolbar is the official workaround.
How can I tell Microsoft that I want the scrollbar search buttons back?
You can submit feature requests directly to Microsoft by opening Word and navigating to Help > Feedback. Choose 'I have a suggestion' to let the development team know you want the classic navigation buttons restored.
