Microsoft Project 2013: The Missing Manual

Chapter 22. Customizing the Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar

Project 2013’s ribbon comes with built-in tabs, each organized in a way that makes project-management tasks easier for most people. After using the program for a while, you may discover that some commands get a lot of exercise, that some starve for attention, and that a few you of your favorites are nowhere to be found. For example, may never click any of the Gantt Chart Style buttons to change the color scheme of your task bars, or you might rather see the Format Painter command on the Format tab. And you frequently use the Edit Links command to update the connections to files you link to your Project schedule, but it’s not available as a button on the ribbon. Fortunately, you can customize which commands you see and where they’re located.

The Quick Access toolbar sits above the left side of the ribbon. It’s always visible and doesn’t take up much room, so it’s an ideal home for your all-time favorite commands. As the following section explains, adding commands to it is a breeze.

You can also customize the ribbon to suit your needs. You can turn tabs on or off, create your own tabs and groups, add commands to groups, and rearrange the order of elements on the ribbon (tabs, groups, and commands). This chapter shows you how to do all these things. After you get the Quick Access toolbar and the ribbon the way you want, why keep them to yourself? This chapter wraps up by showing you how to share your customizing with your colleagues. ...