Office Settings & Configuration

How to Restore the Ballpoint Pen in Microsoft Word Drawing Tools

Adam Davis Oct 8, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user accidentally removed the ballpoint pen from Microsoft Word's drawing tools and needs to restore it without reinstalling the software.

How to Restore the Ballpoint Pen in Word Drawing Tools

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing or using the Draw tab in Microsoft Word to annotate documents.
Observed behavior: The ballpoint pen is completely missing from the Ribbon drawing tools and the user cannot find the correct command to add it back via the standard Ribbon customization menu.

Before you start

Ensure that the 'Draw' tab is actually enabled in your Word Ribbon by checking the 'Customize Ribbon' options under File > Options.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore the Ballpoint Pen Directly from the Draw Tab

This is the quickest method to restore a missing pen as long as you still have other pens or drawing tools visible in your Ribbon.

Microsoft Word allows you to manage your drawing tools directly within the Draw tab's interface rather than through the main application settings. If you accidentally delete a pen, you can easily add a new one from the remaining context menus.

Open the Draw Tab

Launch Microsoft Word, open a document, and click on the 'Draw' tab located on the top Ribbon.

Right-click an Existing Pen

Find any remaining pen, pencil, or highlighter in the drawing tools gallery and right-click on it to open the context menu.

Select Add Pen

Click on 'Add Pen' from the dropdown menu, then select the ballpoint pen icon to restore it to your drawing tools collection.

Restore the Ballpoint Pen Directly from the Draw Tab

Customizing Your New Pen: Once the ballpoint pen is restored, you can click the small drop-down arrow next to it to customize its ink color and stroke thickness.

Solution 2

Perform an Online Repair of Microsoft Office

Use this method if all pens were removed from the Draw tab, making the 'Add Pen' right-click option unavailable.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Annotation and Drawing

If your Microsoft Word drawing tools are malfunctioning, missing, or difficult to customize, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, lightweight alternative with built-in annotation tools, completely free of charge.

1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the installer.
2. Install and Open: Run the installation file, launch WPS Writer, and open your existing Word document.
3. Use the Draw Tools: Navigate to the Draw or Comment tabs to easily access reliable pens and highlighters for your document.

Free and lightweight Office suite with a fast installation processFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsBuilt-in, stable drawing and annotation tools for easy document markupFamiliar user interface that requires no steep learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Draw tab disappear entirely in Microsoft Word?

The Draw tab might simply be hidden from your Ribbon. To bring it back, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, look at the 'Main Tabs' list on the right, check the box next to 'Draw', and click OK.

Can I add the ballpoint pen from the Customize Ribbon menu?

No, individual drawing tools like the ballpoint pen cannot be added via the standard Customize Ribbon window. They must be managed directly within the Pens gallery on the Draw tab itself.

What should I do if Online Repair doesn't restore my drawing tools?

If an Online Repair fails to bring back the drawing tools, ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription, as some advanced drawing features are restricted to subscribers. Alternatively, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for deeper troubleshooting.

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