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How to Move Quick Access Toolbar Below Ribbon in Excel for Mac
Question details
The user wants to position the Quick Access Toolbar below the main ribbon for easier access but cannot find the setting in the Mac version of Excel.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Customizing the application workspace to improve workflow efficiency and keep frequently used tools closer to the spreadsheet grid.
- Observed behavior
- Unlike the Windows version, Excel for Mac does not display an option to move the Quick Access Toolbar below the ribbon.
Verify your current version of Excel for Mac by clicking 'Excel' in the top menu bar and selecting 'About Microsoft Excel'. Note that interface layouts on macOS often differ from Windows versions due to Apple's design guidelines.
Customize the Existing Quick Access Toolbar
Since macOS restricts moving the toolbar below the ribbon, optimizing the commands on the default top toolbar is the best way to speed up your workflow.
Excel for Mac conforms to macOS interface guidelines, keeping the Quick Access Toolbar embedded at the very top of the window. You can make it more efficient by carefully selecting which tools are pinned there.
Click the down arrow (Customize Quick Access Toolbar icon) located at the far right end of the top toolbar.
Check the boxes next to frequently used tools in the dropdown menu. For more options, click 'More Commands...' to open the detailed customization window.
In the 'Ribbon & Toolbar' preferences window, use the up and down arrows to arrange your chosen commands in an order that best suits your daily tasks.
Create a Custom Ribbon Tab
Build a dedicated, personalized tab on your ribbon to house all your most-used commands directly above your workspace.
Try WPS Office for a Clean, Highly Customizable Mac Workspace
If UI limitations in Excel for Mac are frustrating, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a clean, lightweight, and flexible interface that adapts to your workflow while maintaining excellent compatibility with Excel formats.
- 1. Download and install: Get the free WPS Office installer for macOS from the official website and run the setup.
- 2. Open your Excel files: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and seamlessly open your existing .xlsx files to continue working instantly.
- 3. Customize your workspace: Explore the intuitive ribbon and personalize your tools to match your preferred data entry workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the option to move the Quick Access Toolbar missing on Mac?
Microsoft Excel for Mac integrates with Apple's macOS user interface guidelines, which mandate that standard application toolbars stay attached to the very top edge of the window. Consequently, the feature to move it below the ribbon was not included.
Will this feature be added to Excel for Mac in the future?
Microsoft continually updates its Office suite based on user feedback, but there is currently no official timeline for adding this specific customization. You can request it by clicking the 'Help' menu and selecting 'Feedback'.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts instead of the Quick Access Toolbar?
Yes. Mac users can heavily rely on customizable keyboard shortcuts to bypass toolbar clicking entirely. Go to 'Tools' > 'Customize Keyboard' to assign specific key combinations to your most frequently used commands.
