When I wrote the first article on the missing OSB, What?? No Office Shortcut Bar for Office 2003??, I never realized how much feedback I would receive. My thanks to everyone who took the time to rate the article and offer feedback! This article covers answers to feedback questions I have compiled during the last several months.

Q & A Topics

• Is there an easier way to create a new toolbar?
• What about the special Outlook shortcuts?
• What about shortcuts for Open Office Document and New Office Document?
• Why can't I drag the new toolbar off the Windows Taskbar?
• Do I need to create all of my shortcuts in my shortcut folder?
• How do I change the icons for my shortcuts?

Is there an easier way to create a new toolbar?

Absolutely! You can create a new toolbar from any folder simply by dragging the folder to the edge of your Desktop. The key is to make sure you are able to view Desktop in order to create the new toolbar. So if you are using an Exploring window, such as My Computer, make sure it isn't maximized and that you can see the Desktop.

What about the special Outlook shortcuts?

You can create shortcuts for various Outlook tasks such as New Message, New Contact, New Appointment, etc. Here are the steps you need to use to create them:

1. Right-click an empty area of your shortcut folder and select New | Shortcut

2. Click the Browse button and navigate to the folder for Outlook.exe. For Outlook 2003 the path would be similar to the following (quotes included):

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\OUTLOOK.EXE"

3. Place your cursor at the end of the path, after the closing quote, add a space and one of the following switches depending on which type of shortcut you want to create:

For a new email, the Shortcut Target would look something like:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\OUTLOOK.EXE" /c IPM.Note

Figure 1 - New Email Shortcut Properties

Quick Tips:

·         If you already have a shortcut to Outlook you may be able to copy the shortcut and simply modify the Target. To determine if this is possible, right-click the shortcut and select Properties. If the Target on the Shortcut tab is enabled and displays the path for Outlook.exe then it can be modified.

·         To modify the icon for the Outlook shortcut see How do I change the icons for my shortcuts?

What about shortcuts for Open Office Document and New Office Document?

You should be able to find the Open Office Document and New Office Document shortcuts on your Start Menu. If they have been removed then use the Windows Search utility to locate them. Once found you can right-drag them from the Search results to your toolbar and select Copy Here when prompted.

If you are still unable to find them:

1. Open the Help menu in any Office application

2. Select Detect and Repair

3. Make sure the Restore my shortcuts while repairing option is selected

4. Click Start to begin

Figure 2 - Detect and Repair Dialog box

Why can't I drag the new toolbar off the Windows Taskbar?

Chances are you have the Windows Taskbar locked. To unlock the Windows Taskbar:

1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and if Lock the taskbar has a check mark next to it, select the command again to unlock the taskbar.

Do I need to create all of my shortcuts in my shortcut folder?

If you can see your Windows toolbar you can simply drag files and folders to your toolbar to automatically create a shortcut. This includes dragging files and folders from your Open and Save As dialog boxes as well.

Notes

·         This does not apply to existing shortcuts such as those found in your Start menu since dragging the shortcut will move the shortcut instead of creating a new one. If in doubt, right-drag the item to your toolbar and select Copy Here or Create Shortcuts Here when prompted.

·         You must be using Office XP or higher to drag files from the Open and Save As dialog boxes.

How do I change the icons for my shortcuts?

Modifying the icon used for a shortcut on a Windows toolbar is identical to modifying an icon for any shortcut by using the shortcut's Properties.

For Folder Shortcuts

1. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties

2. Select the Customize tab

3. Click the Change Icon... command found under the Folder icons section

4. Select a new icon from those provided or click the Browse… command and navigate to another file containing icons.

For document or program shortcuts

1. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties

2. Click the Change Icon... command found on the Shortcut tab

3. Select a new icon from those provided or click the Browse… command and navigate to another file containing icons.

Icon resources

·         The Office application executable files (*.exe) and most executables contain icons related to the application or program. For example you can find the icons for your special Outlook shortcuts in Outllook.exe

·         Shell32.dll

Figure 3 - Shel32.dll Icons

·         Moricons.dll (Most of these are for old DOS programs and most are no longer relevant)

·         Use Windows Search and search for *.ico files

·         Obtain an icon extraction utility such as IconFinder

Share your Tips and Tricks

If you have a tip or trick for using a Windows toolbar you would like to share let us know! I would be happy to compile a Tips and Tricks article and pass them along to TechTrax readers.