Today on our Microsoft expert blog, we focus on the highly anticipated adjustment to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT). Professional Microsoft 365 Insider Hannah Kieffer breaks down the latest from the Office Suite Experiences team. Addressing user feedback, Kieffer announced that frequently used commands have been restored to the QAT. This significant leap forward is set to enhance user experience and overall workflow comprehensibility. Find out more here.
Focusing on user-friendly accessibility, the Microsoft 365 Visual Refresh highlights the adoption of Fluent Design principles. However, changes made to QAT were widely flagged for affecting functionality and workflow. Users expressed dissatisfaction about the relocation of Undo and Redo commands to the Home tab. The AutoSave command was also greatly missed in its original spot, noted Kieffer.
In response to this feedback, the latest update reinstates the QAT's visibility, including the Undo, Redo, and Save commands. AutoSave has been moved back to the title bar, allowing effortless customization of the QAT according to the user's preferences. Hannah emphasized that user feedback played a crucial role in these modifications.
Two possible scenarios are outlined for adapting the QAT in the newly updated system. If the QAT remains hidden, it will be made visible above the ribbon, including AutoSave, Save, Undo, and Redo commands. The QAT changes allow right-click customization. If the QAT is already showing, these commands will be added to its left side, preserving custom orders and QAT location. The changes permit personalized tuning of the QAT.
Moving on, Kieffer offers tips for utilizing the new Visual Refresh preview in Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote for Windows. To make the switch, users simply click on the megaphone icon to access the Coming Soon pane, and toggle between experiences. This new feature is available to Insiders running Version 2305 (Build 16403.20000) or onwards.
Moreover, Microsoft 365 is committed to a phased feature release to validate smooth functioning. Occasionally, this approach might flag feature not yet available to all. New offerings are expanded gradually among Insiders. Sometimes, upon studying user feedback, features may be withdrawn for improvement or completely from the product.
Finally, user interaction is greatly encouraged. Inside the application, Help > Feedback is the path for sharing thoughts with the tag #QAT. Users can also respond to blog posts with their valuable insights.
In today's blog post, I'll delve into the exciting world of Microsoft 365 Insider Guides and focus more specifically on the default Quick Access Toolbar. Hannah Kieffer, a Product Manager on the Office Suite Experiences team, announced a significant update that hearkens back to user-adored features. Let's get straight into it.
Enabling Quick Access Toolbar - A Prominent Update:
As Microsoft 365 underwent a Visual Refresh based on Fluent Design principles, it streamlined the software usage for a cohesive experience. However, one change did not sit well with the users: the hiding of the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT). This change specifically disrupted the Undo and Redo commands workflow and also concealed the AutoSave command.
Realising the blunder, Microsoft went back to the drawing board and, voilà, the QAT is back! Not only is it visible by default, but even the AutoSave command has its rightful place back on the title bar. Now, you can customize the QAT based on your preferences. Let's see how to enable it.
User Experience Scenarios:
Depending on your current settings, there will be two different responses:
Both these options provide quick customization by right-clicking the QAT and selecting Customize.
Tips, Tricks and Availability:
Microsoft 365 has a new Visual Refresh preview for Windows users. To access this, just click the megaphone icon and use the toggle switch. This setting will apply to all Microsoft 365 Windows Desktop apps.
Also, the new feature is available to Insiders running Version 2305 (Build 16403.20000) or later. If you don't have it yet, don't worry. Features are gradually released to ensure a smooth operation, and this one will reach you soon.
Feedback Is Always Welcome:
Microsoft appreciates your feedback and always strives to make its products better. Inside the app, click Help > Feedback, share your thoughts and add #QAT. Your feedback is invaluable for Microsoft's continuous improvements.
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