How Do I Restore My Toolbar in Outlook? A Complete Guide

The toolbar in Outlook is an essential part of your workflow, offering quick access to key commands and features. But what happens when it disappears or becomes hidden? Whether the toolbar is accidentally collapsed, missing due to a settings issue, or affected by an add-in, restoring it is easier than you might think.

This guide will walk you through simple and effective steps to restore your toolbar in Outlook and ensure it works seamlessly moving forward.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restore the Toolbar

1. Check if the Ribbon is Collapsed

The Ribbon layout in Outlook can be controlled using one or two buttons, depending on the version of Outlook you are using:

1.1. Check for the "Rectangle with an Up Arrow" Button

1. Look for a button that resembles a rectangle with an upward arrow, located near the minimize button in the upper-right corner of the Outlook window.

2. If this button is not visible, proceed directly to Step 1.2.

3. If the button is visible:

• Click the "rectangle with an up arrow" button.
• From the dropdown menu, select Show Tabs and Commands.

1.2. Use the "Angle Bracket Pointing Down" Button

1. Locate the "angle bracket pointing down" button in the lower-right corner of the Ribbon. This button is always available.

2. Click the button and adjust the settings:

• Under Ribbon Layout, select Classic Ribbon.
• Under Show Ribbon, select Always Show Ribbon.

By following these steps, you should be able to fully restore your toolbar and Ribbon layout in Outlook.

2. Customize the Toolbar/Ribbon

If the toolbar is still missing or you want to make adjustments:

1. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.

2. Use this menu to add or remove specific features.

3. If you prefer to start fresh, reset the toolbar to its default settings.

3. Check for Disabled Add-ins

Sometimes, a missing toolbar can be caused by disabled add-ins. To resolve this:

1. Open File > Options > Add-ins.
2. Review the list of add-ins and re-enable any that are essential or might affect the toolbar.

4. Repair Outlook Installation

If all else fails, the issue could be with the Outlook installation itself. Here’s how to repair it:

1. Open Control Panel > Programs.
2. Locate Microsoft Office, select it, and choose Repair.

This process will fix any underlying issues that might be preventing the toolbar from displaying correctly.

Regularly Back Up Outlook to Avoid Glitches

Preventing issues is always better than fixing them. A regular backup of your Outlook account can help safeguard against settings loss or data corruption when you encounter an Outlook issue like the toolbar missing. We recommend using AOMEI Backupper Professional to back up your Outlook data. This tool allows you to create reliable and automatic backups, ensuring your emails, contacts, and preferences are safe.

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• Simple Outlook Data Backup: It makes it super easy to back up all your essential Outlook data—like emails, contacts, calendars, notes, and tasks—with just a few clicks. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to safeguard your information.
• Multiple Storage Choices: Store your Outlook backups wherever you prefer. Whether it’s an external hard drive, a USB flash drive, your local computer, or a NAS device, AOMEI Backupper gives you the flexibility to choose the storage option that suits you best.
• Automated Backup Made Simple: Save time with automated backup scheduling. Set your backups to run daily, weekly, or monthly—whatever works for you. You can even configure backups to start automatically when certain events happen.

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How to Back Up Your Outlook Account

Step 1: Open the software and click on the "Backup" option. From there, select "Outlook Backup" to get started.

Step 2: Click "Add Outlook Data" to see a full list of your mailbox folders, select the folders you want to back up—either all at once or just the ones you need—and click "OK."

Notes:✎...

If you manage multiple mailboxes, AOMEI Backupper lets you back them up all at once to save time.

Step 3: Select where you want to save your backup file. You can pick a folder or enter a custom path to store your data securely.

Step 4: Click "Start Backup" to begin saving your data. Once the process is complete, click "Finish" to exit the program. Your backup is now ready and safe!

With AOMEI Backupper, keeping your Outlook data safe has never been easier or more convenient.

Summary

After reading the fixes of how to restore toolbar in Outlook, you would recognize showing toolbar in Outlook email is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your productivity. Following this guide, you can quickly bring your toolbar back, and customize it to suit your workflow.

Don't forget to back up your Outlook account with AOMEI Backupper regularly to prevent future issues, even if your Outlook is crushed you can easily get your data back instantly.