How to Add New Buttons to the Microsoft Office Ribbon

If you use Microsoft Office regularly, customizing the ribbon can save you time and clicks. Whether you want to add your favorite commands or streamline your workflow, adding new buttons to the ribbon in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook is simple — and you don’t need any coding skills to do it.

Here’s how to do it step by step.

What Is the Ribbon?

The ribbon is the toolbar at the top of Office apps like Word and Excel. It holds tabs (like Home, Insert, Review) and groups of related commands.

By default, Microsoft puts the most common tools there — but you can add your own buttons for the features you use most.

Step-by-Step: Add New Buttons to the Ribbon

1. Open Any Microsoft Office App

Let’s use Word as the example, but this works in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook too.

2. Right-Click the Ribbon

Anywhere on the ribbon, right-click and select:
Customize the Ribbon

Alternatively, go to:
File > Options > Customize Ribbon

3. Choose the Tab You Want to Edit

• You can add buttons to existing tabs (like “Home”)
• Or create a new tab and name it anything you like

Tip: Many users create a custom tab called “My Tools” to keep everything in one place.

4. Add Commands

• On the left side, you’ll see a list of commands.
• On the right side is the structure of your ribbon.

To add a new button:

• Select a command on the left
• Click the tab/group you want on the right
• Press Add >>

You can also rearrange or rename tabs and groups.

5. Click OK

Your changes are saved instantly. The new button is now live on your ribbon.

What Can You Add?

You can add:

• Built-in Office commands
• Macros (if enabled)
• Custom icons (for advanced users)

Just choose from the drop-down:
Popular Commands, All Commands, or Commands Not in the Ribbon

Resetting or Exporting Your Ribbon

• To reset your ribbon to default, click the Reset button.
• To export your setup (great for backups or sharing), click Import/Export at the bottom of the Options window.

Quick Recap

• Right-click the ribbon > Customize Ribbon
• Add buttons to existing tabs or create your own
• Choose commands from the list and hit Add
• Save changes with OK — and enjoy faster access to your tools

Customizing the ribbon turns Office into a setup that works how you work. Try it — you’ll never go back to the default layout.