Placing Excel on the task bar - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sky_driver · 09-20-2006, 11:20 AM

I know someone knows how to do this, but I just can't figure out how.

I want to put an Excel Icon on the lower ( START ) task bar so that I can open it, without having to "X" out of all the other operations in order to click on the desktop icon.

I am using Windows XP.

Thanks

Moskie · 09-20-2006, 12:10 PM

1. Create a folder on you desktop (or wherever), called something like "My Toolbar"
2. In that folder, put a copy of your Excel shortcut (right click the Excel icon, click copy, go to your new folder, right-click, paste)
3. Right click an empty spot on your taskbar, click the Toolbars sub-menu, then click New Toolbar.
4. Find the folder you created in step 1, and click OK.

Voila, you've made a toolbar for your taskbar. You can put whatever shortcuts you want in that folder and they will appear on the toolbar. If it doesn't show up on the taskbar where you like, you can drag it to a diffent spot (make sure the taskbar isn't locked (right click an empty spot on the taskbar, uncheck "Lock the Taskbar")).

As a side tip: instead of having to close/minimize all your windows to view your desktop, you can just press the Windows Start button on your keyboard and the letter D (for desktop) together to minimize everything and see your desktop. Press the same keys again to bring everything back up.

Dragonlich · 09-21-2006, 10:26 AM

Wouldn't it be simpler to right-click on the taskbar, go to toolbars, and select "desktop"? That way, you'll have all the icons on your desktop in easy reach.

Also, you could put it in the quicklaunch bar, which can also be activated by the above method. There's also a "show desktop" shortcut there, that does the same as Moskie's side tip.

Chamaeleontidae · 09-21-2006, 10:52 AM

There should also be a shortcut for XL under START:Programs:Micorsoft Office. You can control-click and drag the icon to the first section of the START menu, to put a copy of the icon there, or drag the desktop icon into the QUICK Launch bar, and a copy of the shortcut will be created in the Quick Launch bar.

or what they said...

It all depends on where you want the icon.

Moskie · 09-21-2006, 12:16 PM

Yea... I gave the suggestion about creating a new folder because I don't like how applications will put their own icon on the Quick Launch bar automatically, and my Desktop is a bit too cluttered to have it's own toolbar on the task bar. So a new toolbar that has exactly what I want (in sky's case, just an Excel shortcut) is my preferred setup....

sky_driver · 09-22-2006, 06:29 AM

Thanks to everyone for your help. I now have the excel icon on my toolbar which is making my life easier.

09-20-2006, 11:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
sky_driver Insane	Placing Excel on the task bar I know someone knows how to do this, but I just can't figure out how. I want to put an Excel Icon on the lower ( START ) task bar so that I can open it, without having to "X" out of all the other operations in order to click on the desktop icon. I am using Windows XP. Thanks

09-20-2006, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Moskie Pure Chewing Satisfaction Location: can i use bbcode [i]here[/i]?	1. Create a folder on you desktop (or wherever), called something like "My Toolbar" 2. In that folder, put a copy of your Excel shortcut (right click the Excel icon, click copy, go to your new folder, right-click, paste) 3. Right click an empty spot on your taskbar, click the Toolbars sub-menu, then click New Toolbar. 4. Find the folder you created in step 1, and click OK. Voila, you've made a toolbar for your taskbar. You can put whatever shortcuts you want in that folder and they will appear on the toolbar. If it doesn't show up on the taskbar where you like, you can drag it to a diffent spot (make sure the taskbar isn't locked (right click an empty spot on the taskbar, uncheck "Lock the Taskbar")). As a side tip: instead of having to close/minimize all your windows to view your desktop, you can just press the Windows Start button on your keyboard and the letter D (for desktop) together to minimize everything and see your desktop. Press the same keys again to bring everything back up. __________________ Greetings and salutations. Last edited by Moskie; 09-20-2006 at 12:12 PM..

09-21-2006, 10:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
Chamaeleontidae aka: freakylongname Location: South of the Great While North	There should also be a shortcut for XL under START:Programs:Micorsoft Office. You can control-click and drag the icon to the first section of the START menu, to put a copy of the icon there, or drag the desktop icon into the QUICK Launch bar, and a copy of the shortcut will be created in the Quick Launch bar. or what they said... It all depends on where you want the icon. __________________ "Reality is just a crutch for people who can't cope with drugs." Robin Williams.

09-21-2006, 12:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moskie Pure Chewing Satisfaction Location: can i use bbcode [i]here[/i]?	Yea... I gave the suggestion about creating a new folder because I don't like how applications will put their own icon on the Quick Launch bar automatically, and my Desktop is a bit too cluttered to have it's own toolbar on the task bar. So a new toolbar that has exactly what I want (in sky's case, just an Excel shortcut) is my preferred setup.... __________________ Greetings and salutations.

09-21-2006, 10:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	Wouldn't it be simpler to right-click on the taskbar, go to toolbars, and select "desktop"? That way, you'll have all the icons on your desktop in easy reach. Also, you could put it in the quicklaunch bar, which can also be activated by the above method. There's also a "show desktop" shortcut there, that does the same as Moskie's side tip.

09-22-2006, 06:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
sky_driver Insane	Thanks to everyone for your help. I now have the excel icon on my toolbar which is making my life easier.