Where Is Toolbar Customization Information Stored In Excel?

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Toolbar customization information in Excel can be stored in two locations: Excel files and Windows registry. Knowing where this information is stored can help in recovering lost customizations.
  • Customization information stored in Excel files can be located by looking for specific file extensions, such as .xlb or .xlam. This information can also be accessed through the Excel Options menu.
  • Customization information stored in Windows registry can be accessed through the registry editor tool. Backing up the registry regularly can help in recovering lost customizations.
  • There are several ways to recover lost toolbar customization information, including recovering from recent files, recovering from Windows registry backup, and using Excel add-ins.

Do you want to customize the Excel toolbar to speed up your workflow? Find out where this crucial data is stored and how to access it quickly. You’ll be able to customize the Excel toolbar with ease.

Location of Toolbar Customization Information in Excel

To find out where Excel caches toolbar customization info, we have solutions. Where is the location of the customization data in Excel? We’ll talk about two areas: the info stored in Excel files and the info stored in the Windows Registry.

Location of Toolbar Customization Information in Excel-Where is Toolbar Customization Information Stored in Excel?,

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Customization Information Stored in Excel Files

Customization Information in Excel Files

Excel files store a significant amount of information, including customization settings applied to toolbars. This information is essential for users who frequently work with Excel files as it enhances their productivity and work efficiency.

Below is a table that highlights the different types of Customization Information Stored in Excel Files, along with the respective description and location:

Customization TypeDescriptionLocation
Toolbar CustomizationsUser-defined toolbarsHome Tab -> Customize Quick Access Toolbar
Specific buttons added/removedLocation specific to toolbar customization
Ribbon CustomizationsUser-defined ribbon tabsFile -> Options -> Customize Ribbon
Specific tabs added/removedLocation specific to ribbon customization

It’s worth noting that customized Toolbars and Ribbons are stored in separate files like .xlb and .customUI.xml located at varying file locations depending on system versions.

Finally, according to Microsoft documentation, restoring an older version of Excel file may remove any customization settings set in that particular version.

Don’t bother looking for your lost toolbar customization info in the Windows Registry, it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack… that’s been set on fire.

Customization Information Stored in Windows Registry

Customization data in Excel is stored securely in the Windows Registry, which acts as a database of configuration settings for all installed applications. The Windows Registry saves toolbar customization information as well, allowing users to make personalized changes to their Excel interface.

Window Registry Customization Data
Data Type
Key Value

Data Name
Ribbons, Quick Access Toolbar Settings, CommandBarSettings, Toolbars and other GUI Elements

It is essential to understand that any customization changes in Excel are added to the Windows Registry database. This eliminates the need for backing up toolbar customizations and ensures quick access to one’s preferred settings. The critical benefit of storing customization data in the Windows Registry instead of an external file is that it never gets lost or damaged.

In today’s digital age, where work from home has become a norm, it is necessary to minimize time spent on repetitive tasks. By storing customization data of your Excel toolbar efficiently in the Windows Registry, you can focus on your work rather than personalize ‘repetitive’ aspects of your toolbars.

Do not miss out on saving time! Store your Excel customization in Windows Registry today!
Recovering lost Toolbar Customization Information is like finding a needle in a spreadsheet haystack.

Ways to Recover Lost Toolbar Customization Information

Regain lost toolbar customization data in Excel? Discover the methods! Have a peek at these subsections:

  1. Retrieve from recent files
  2. Take from Windows registry backup
  3. Use Excel add-ins to recover toolbar customization details

Ways to Recover Lost Toolbar Customization Information-Where is Toolbar Customization Information Stored in Excel?,

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Recovering from Recent Files

When your recent files are lost, it can be frustrating. However, there are ways to recover them in Excel.

Here is a 5-Step Guide on how to recover from recent files in Excel:

  1. Go to File > Options > Advanced.
  2. Scroll down to the Display section.
  3. In the Recently Used Files list, change the number of files displayed.
  4. Select OK.
  5. Your recently used files will now reappear in the File menu.

Another way to restore your recent files is by using the Recover Unsaved Workbooks feature in Excel. Simply go to File and select Open. From there, choose Recent Workbooks located under Recent Folders.

It’s important to note that when you delete a file from your computer, it cannot be recovered through these methods. Always make sure to back up your work regularly in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

A true history about this topic is that many people have lost their recent files due to technical issues or accidental deletion, leading them to search for ways to recover their work. It’s always important to stay vigilant and prepared for any situation by backing up your work regularly and utilizing recovery options within Excel.

Backup, schmackup. Just give me my toolbar back.

Recovering from Windows Registry Backup

Restoring lost toolbar customization details can be done by accessing the backup data stored in Windows Registry. It is a crucial aspect of recovering customized toolbars and icons.

  1. Access the ‘Run’ command by pressing Windows+R, then enter ‘regedit.’ Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Office\\Excel\\Addins\\<Add-ins key>\\Toolbars. Backup the current registry data before making any changes to avoid problems.

In the event of a system crash or loss of toolbar customization information, restoring registry backups can assist you in retrieving lost information. It’s essential to ensure that any changes made are accurate and precise so as not to delete any necessary data.

By using software like Excel Horizon Toolbar add-in or other third-party Excel recovery tools, you can retrieve lost toolbar information through automatic processes that take minimal effort to complete.

Using in-built Excel features like Quick Access Toolbar Export/Import offers a more straightforward approach to restoring one’s personalized customizations since it allows exporting and importing this data.

Knowing where your toolbar customization details are stored on Excel and how to recover them will help you save precious time and minimize any adverse impacts due to loss of vital data.

Add-ins may sound unnecessary, but they could just be the superhero you need to rescue your lost toolbar customization information in Excel.

Using Excel Add-ins to Recover Toolbar Customization Information

Excel Add-ins for Retrieving Lost Toolbar Customization Data

Using Excel add-ins is an effective method to recover accidentally deleted toolbar configurations and commands. Users can utilize these tools to retrieve lost information from various sources, including network drives and cloud storage. These add-ins have proven to be a reliable solution for restoring missing toolbars in Excel.

  • Excel Recovery Tool- With this add-in, users can find lost data that was erased due to file corruption or accidental deletion.
  • Ribbon Commander- This resourceful tool restores customized menus, ribbons, shortcuts and user interface settings.
  • Excel Menu Software- This useful extension offers application of custom menus in Excel along with retrieval of customizations lost due to file damage or deletion.

Furthermore, the use of add-ins guarantees efficient recovery with minimal effort for well-known modules such as Excel 2010, 2013, 2016 etc.

Pro Tip: Prioritize saving toolbar customization configuration data at various intervals to avoid losing all customization progress due to unexpected incidents.

Five Facts About Where Toolbar Customization Information Stored in Excel:

  • ✅ Toolbar customization information in Excel is stored in a file called Excel.qat. (Source: Microsoft)
  • ✅ Excel.qat is located in the following directory: %AppData%\Microsoft\Excel. (Source: Excel Easy)
  • ✅ The Excel.qat file contains XML code that defines the customizations on the Quick Access Toolbar. (Source: Data Recovery Blog)
  • ✅ The Quick Access Toolbar can be customized by right-clicking on it and selecting “Customize Quick Access Toolbar.” (Source: Excel Campus)
  • ✅ Customizations to the Ribbon interface in Excel are stored in a file called Excel.officeUI. (Source: Microsoft)

FAQs about Where Is Toolbar Customization Information Stored In Excel?

Where is Toolbar Customization Information Stored in Excel?

Q: Is toolbar customization information stored locally on my computer?

A: Yes, toolbar customization information is stored locally on your computer.

Q: Can I transfer my customized toolbar settings to another computer?

A: Yes, you can transfer your toolbar customization information to another computer by exporting the settings from your current computer and importing them into the new one.

Q: How do I export my toolbar customization settings?

A: To export your toolbar customization settings, go to the “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” menu and click “Export all customizations.”

Q: How do I import my toolbar customizations on a new computer?

A: To import your toolbar customizations on a new computer, go to the “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” menu and click “Import/Export” and then select “Import customization file.”

Q: Can I reset my toolbar customizations to the default settings?

A: Yes, you can reset your toolbar customizations to the default settings by going to the “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” menu and selecting “Reset toolbar.”

Q: Can I create a backup of my toolbar customizations?

A: Yes, you can create a backup of your toolbar customizations by exporting the settings and saving them to an external storage device.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.