Ribbons and shortcuts

Excel 2007 brought a new work environment based on ribbons. This novelty was annoyed by many experienced users (who were able to set shortcuts to the most commonly used options) and delighted new users (who saw some options they did not even suspect that existed). In order to “calm down passions,” Office programmers first added the Quick Access Toolbar and the ability to adjust the toolbar content (Office 2010).

Ribbons are groups of options that encompass a specific field of Excel application. For example, the Home ribbon contains the most commonly used options, the Insert contains options for inserting objects, Page Layout options to adjust page layout, Formulas options for entering and tracking formulas, etc. Each ribbon consists of a tab, which contains its name, as well as the body of the ribbon in which the options are grouped. In the upper right corner, there is an icon that adjusts whether we want to automatically hide the ribbon bar, display only the cards, and also the tabs and body of the ribbon. This option is primarily useful when working on smaller screens. Then, by hiding the ribbon, we can maximize the use of the desktop.

These are the basic ribbons. In addition to them, there are also context-generated ones. They appear if we perform an action in which context there is a need for additional program options. For example, if we add a new object (shape, image, special text), the Format context ribbon will appear that contains the options necessary for formatting the added object.

Display and order of options within a ribbon can be adjusted according to your preferences. We do this by clicking on the File tab, which enters the so-called. Backstage Mode, then selecting Options. After that, the Excel Options dialog opens, where the Customize Ribbon option is also offered in the left hand menu.

By activating this option on the right, two lists will appear. The left list shows the options that can be added to the ribbon. These options can be filtered by choosing all options, missing, commonly used, or by group selection. The right list represents options that are already in the existing ribbon. Between these two lists there are two buttons: to add options to existing ribbons (Add) or remove (Remove). It is also possible to add new groups and adjust the display or hiding of particular groups or entire ribbon. Adjustments are made in several steps.

Similarly, the Quick Access Toolbar is displayed. These are the options we want to have one-click access, such as options for creating a new document, opening documents, recording, printing, etc. Adjust the Quick Access Tools by activating the Excel Options dialog box, and then select the Customize Quick Access Toolbar option in the menu on the left. We have two lists again, as well as buttons for adding or removing options or separators from existing lists, but actions now apply to quick access tools.

We can access the options for adjusting the ribbons or Quick Access Toolbar in a simpler way. By clicking with the right mouse button on the File tab, a context menu with shortcuts to the options will open.