Customized Toolbars (2002/SP2)

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My main excel document has customized toolbars along with many macros. I’m going to be getting a new computer and would like to know where the files are that I can copy that contain my toolbars. I realize my macros are in personal.xls and have located that. Are there any other files I should copy?

Thanks,

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Your toolbar is in an *.XLB file, save it and copy it over your default *.XLB file on the new PC.

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Thanks John. Are those the only 2 I should be concerned about?

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Anything in your XLSTART folder, your Templates folder, and any add-ins (*.XLA) which are not part of the Microsoft Excel Install (usually in …OFFICE*LIBRARY and child Folders, but not always), which you want to retain. Not specific to Excel, but critical to me to copy over as I don’t want to have to re-teach new Office installations every term-of-my-industry and unusual employee name, is CUSTOM.DIC, usually found in Folder …PROOF.

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One addition to what John told you. After copying your .xlb file over the default .xlb file, it is sometimes necessary to navigate to the .xlb file and double click on it and then close Excel before it will take affect.

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You can also attach toolbars to a workbook, so an option might be to attach your custom toolbar to personal.xls. This would mean the toolbar(s) would be saved with the file and so where the file goes, the toolbar(s) go.

Go to Tools, Customize and select the Toolbars tab and from there attach the relevant toolbars. To do this with Personal.xls you would need to unhide it and make it the active workbbook. Re-hide and save.

Andrew C

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Andrew:

What do you mean by unhiding personal.xls?

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Window | Unhide, Personal.xls …

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Got it.

If I have customized the standard/formatting toolbars then resave the personal.xls, will that save those 2 even though they come with Excel or am I better off at this point to create 2 new toolbars, copying what I have on my customized standard/formatting and then recustomize when I get the new pc?

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You do not get the option to attach any of Excels inbuilt toolbars, even if you customise them.

However if you copy the XLB files, such customizations would carry over.

Andrew

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If you follow Andrew’s advice, your custom toolbar becomes part of Personal.xls, and when you save Personal.xls and migrate it to the new machine, the Toolbar will migrate within Personal.xls.

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BTW, I’m one of those oddballs who actually uses spell check in Excel.

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Thanks much to both of you. I’m currently working between 2 different offices and am getting a new PC in one office and the other office going from 2002 back to 2000. Way too many things in 2002 I don’t like!

Well John, that means there’s 2 oddballs out there then that use spell check in Excel!

Again, thanks much. I’ve had way too many new PCs/office programs and have always had to try and remember what was on my toolbars then try to recreate the icon.

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Leanne,

Normally Personal.xls is invisible. You make it visible by going to Window, Unhide and select Personal.xls.

When you are finished the customization, with Personal.xls as the active window, select Window, Hide.

When you exit Excel, you should be asked if you want to save changes to Personal.xls. Click on Yes.

Andrew

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