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How to Customize the Icon Bar in QuickBooks Desktop?

Icon Bar in QuickBooks Desktop

Customizing the icon bar in QuickBooks Desktop is like giving your accounting toolbox a personal touch. It’s the handy toolbar at the top of your QuickBooks screen that lets you jump straight to your go-to features and tasks. Customization is important for this icon bar to match your work style—choosing the icons that matter most to you. This isn’t just about making QuickBooks look good; it’s about making it work better for you. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through the easy steps of personalizing your icon bar. Let’s make QuickBooks dance to your tune, so you can focus more on financial matters.

Icon Bar in QuickBooks: An Overview

The Icon Bar in QuickBooks Desktop is a powerful tool that provides quick and easy access to various features and functions within the software. Positioned at the top of the QuickBooks interface, this toolbar is designed to help you optimize your workflow and enhance efficiency.

At its core, the Icon Bar serves as a visual shortcut to frequently used tasks, allowing you to navigate through the software with just a click. It comes preloaded with a set of default icons representing commonly accessed features, such as creating invoices, managing customers, and running reports.

However, what sets the Icon Bar apart is its flexibility. Users can personalize it according to their specific needs and preferences. This means you can add, remove, or rearrange icons based on the most frequently performed tasks. By tailoring the Icon Bar to your workflow, you can significantly reduce the time spent searching for specific functions, making your QuickBooks experience more intuitive and productive.

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Customizing the Icon Bar in QuickBooks Desktop

Let’s get into the process of customizing the icon bar using QuickBooks Desktop 2020 Premier Edition (compatible with both Pro and Premier versions). Follow the steps given below:

The default Icon Bar usually sits on the left side. It’s got icons for different tasks and reports right from the start. But if you’re more into having these icons at the top, no problem. 

  • Go to the “View” option in the top menu and select “Top Icon Bar.”

Once you’ve made this change, those icons at the top become your quick shortcuts for navigating in QuickBooks. And if you’re thinking, “I don’t use all of these,” you can customize the Icon Bar. Right-click on it, and you’ll see a “Customize Icon Bar…” option. 

Click on that, and a window pops up where you can choose which icons to keep and which ones to say goodbye to. Follow the steps below to remove the icons you don’t need:

Delete items from the icon bar

  1. Right-click on the Icon Bar.
  2. Select “Customize Icon Bar” from the menu.
  3. Choose the icon you want to remove.
  4. Click the “Delete” button.
  5. Confirm by clicking “OK.”

By following this simple process you can remove icons you do not wish to use. 

Now follow the steps mentioned below to add the icons of your preference to the icon bar: 

Add icons to the icon bar

  1. Right-click on the Icon Bar.
  2. Choose the “Customize Icon Bar” option from the menu.
  3. Click the “Add” button in the “Customize Icon Bar” box.
  4. In the “Add Icon Bar Item” window, you’ll find a range of options that you can add to your Icon Bar in QuickBooks.
  5. You have the flexibility to personalize your selection. You can pick the icon you prefer, and provide a description.
  6. Then you can move this icon wherever you want in the panel.
  7. You can also place it anywhere in the “Customize Icon Bar” window. Just drag it to wherever you wish to move it. 
  8. Click the “OK” button.
  1. You can also add space between your icons by clicking the “Add Separator” button in the Customize icon bar tab.

By following these steps, you can easily enhance your QuickBooks Icon Bar by adding new items that align with your specific needs and preferences.

Add Custom Report to the icon bar

In QuickBooks Desktop 2020, you have the flexibility to expand the items on your icon bar and add the items that are not included in the list. This includes adding custom reports tailored to your specific needs.

  1. To begin, go to the report you want to include in the icon bar. Access this from the main menu by selecting Reports -> Memorized Reports, and then choose the desired report.
  2. Once you’ve identified the report, follow these steps:
  3. Click on “View” in the main menu.
  4. About midway down the menu, find the option “Add [Your Report Name] to the Icon Bar.”
  5. This action opens the “Add Window to Icon Bar” window. Here, you can personalize the addition:
    • Add a custom label.
    • Provide a description.
    • Choose an icon that represents the report.
  6. After completing these customizations, click “OK.” This creates a new icon on your icon bar, making a direct link to the customized report.
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By taking the initiative to customize your icon bar, you eliminate the need to search for frequently used actions and reports. This straightforward customization ensures efficient access to essential tools and information, ultimately saving you time in the long run.

Differences Between the Top and Left Icon Bar Customizations

Here’s a simple comparison table highlighting the differences between the top and left icon bar customizations in QuickBooks Pro 2021 Desktop:

FeatureTop Icon BarLeft Icon Bar
Color CustomizationCan be changed to colored/light iconsCannot be changed to colored/light icons
Display OptionsCan be customized to show icons and text or icons onlyCannot be customized to show icons and text or icons only
Add Search BoxCan be customized to add the Search BoxCannot be customized to add the Search Box (Search Box is at the top)
Collapse and ExpandCannot be collapsedCan be collapsed and expanded (Controlled by selecting the left facing caret next to the Search Box). Can be expanded by clicking on the right-facing caret)

This table provides a clear overview of the distinct customization options and functionalities between the top and left icon bars in QuickBooks Pro 2021 Desktop.

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Conclusion

To sum it up, making QuickBooks Desktop your own is a breeze with its customization options. You get to shape your workspace to match exactly how you like to work. Whether you want to add your go-to reports or personalize how things are displayed, QuickBooks is all about giving you that freedom.

You can organize your windows, and decide how much info you want at a glance. So, why settle for a generic setup? Customize your QuickBooks Desktop, simplify your work, and make managing your finances a more personal and enjoyable experience. If you come across any issues you can seek QuickBooks Desktop assistance from our experts at our Toll-free Phone Number i.e. +1-855-875-1223 for personalized assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to create a desktop shortcut for QuickBooks Online?

Open your preferred web browser and navigate to QuickBooks Online. Ensure that the browser is in windowed mode so you can see your desktop screen. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online account. Then, locate the ‘View site information’ icon next to the web address in the address bar. Drag and drop this icon onto your desktop screen.

How to get rid of the top icon bar in QuickBooks?


1. Navigate to the top of the screen and locate the ‘View’ option. 
2. Click on it to reveal a dropdown menu. 
3. From there, select ‘Top Icon Bar.’ 
4. Once the Top Icon Bar is visible, click on it again, and this time choose ‘Hide Icon Bar’ to remove it from view.

How to move the icon bar in QuickBooks?


1. In the menu bar, click on “View.”
2. From the dropdown menu, select “Customize Icon Bar.”
3. Locate the icon you wish to reposition within the Icon Bar Content section.
4. Drag the diamond-shaped handle of the icon up or down to the desired position.
5. Once satisfied with the new arrangement, click “OK” to save the changes.

Why are my QuickBooks icons so small?


1. Right-click on the QuickBooks icon.
2. Choose “Properties” from the context menu.
3. Navigate to the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Check the “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings” box.
5. Alternatively, you can click on “Change high DPI settings” and then choose “Override high DPI scaling behavior.”

About The Author

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Editorial Team

At QAsolved, we are a team of skilled professionals dedicated to delivering unparalleled accounting and bookkeeping services. With backgrounds in finance and technology, our collaborative efforts focus on providing practical solutions and guidance. Our services are tailored for a range of businesses, covering advisory, CFO services, bookkeeping, and financial systems consulting. QAsolved is an award-winning consulting firm and Intuit’s #1 QuickBooks Reseller Partner. We offer comprehensive QuickBooks services, including consulting, integration, migration, maintenance, data conversion, training, and support, among other services. Over the years, we have assisted over 30K customers across various industries with their Intuit products.

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