Office Settings & Configuration

How to View and Search Quick Access Toolbar Commands in Microsoft Office

Rana Garcia Oct 19, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to view a comprehensive list of all Quick Access Toolbar commands across multiple Office applications and search for specific commands easily.

How to View and Search Quick Access Toolbar Commands in Microsoft Office

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar to improve workflow efficiency in Word, Excel, Access, or Project.
Observed behavior: There is no centralized cross-application command list or built-in search box; commands must be manually browsed alphabetically by their full names within each specific application.

Before you start

Keep in mind that Quick Access Toolbar settings are application-specific, meaning you will need to customize the toolbar separately for Word, Excel, and other Office programs rather than applying one master list.

Solution 1Recommended

Browse "All Commands" Alphabetically in Each Application

Since there is no universal search bar for commands, you must manually browse the complete alphabetical list within the specific application where you want to add the shortcut.

Microsoft Office separates its command libraries by application. To find a specific tool, you must navigate the settings menu of the respective app.

Open the application options

Launch the specific Microsoft Office application (e.g., Word or Excel). Click on "File" in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select "Options" at the very bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Quick Access Toolbar settings

In the Options dialog box that appears, click on "Quick Access Toolbar" in the left-hand navigation pane.

Select All Commands

Under the "Choose commands from" drop-down menu at the top of the left column, change the selection from "Popular Commands" to "All Commands".

Find and add your command

Scroll through the alphabetical list to locate your desired command. Once found, click on it to highlight it, then click the "Add >>" button in the middle to place it on your toolbar. Click "OK" to save changes.

Browse "All Commands" Alphabetically in Each Application

Keyboard Shortcut Tip: While you cannot search with a text box, you can click on any item in the "All Commands" list and type the first letter of the command you are looking for to instantly jump to that alphabetical section.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Because Microsoft Office lacks a built-in search function for the Quick Access Toolbar across its suite, you can submit feedback to request this feature.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I search for a command in the Quick Access Toolbar menu?

Microsoft Office currently does not include a search bar within the Quick Access Toolbar customization window. You are required to select "All Commands" from the drop-down menu and scroll through the alphabetical list manually to find the specific tool you need.

Can I export my Quick Access Toolbar settings to another Office app?

No, Quick Access Toolbar customizations are strictly application-specific. A command you add in Word will not automatically appear in your Excel toolbar. You can only export and import settings for the exact same application (e.g., migrating your Word settings to Word on a different computer).

How are the commands sorted in the "All Commands" list?

Commands are sorted strictly in alphabetical order based on their complete, official names within the specific application. This can sometimes make tools hard to locate if their official background name differs slightly from what they are commonly called in the ribbon interface.

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