How to view Quick Access Toolbar in Outlook as it is not showing

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How to view Quick Access Toolbar in Outlook as it is not showing

michael 5

trying to view 'Ruler' when drafting emails but cannot find it.

Instructions state to load it via Quick Access Toolbar but that toolbar is also missing

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Answer 1

Francisco Montilla 30,635 Independent Advisor

Hi Michael,

This is happening because there are two different Outlooks now.

In the new Outlook for Windows, the Quick Access Toolbar and the Ruler feature are not available, so the instructions you found will not work there. Microsoft's own article notes that Ruler is not supported in the new Outlook.

Open Outlook and look at the top right. If you see the New Outlook toggle, turn it off and choose Switch back to classic Outlook.

Once classic Outlook opens, start a new message so the compose window is in its own window. In that message window, open the Quick Access Toolbar menu at the far right of the ribbon, choose More Commands, set Choose commands from to Commands Not in the Ribbon, select Ruler, choose Add, then OK.

You will now have a Ruler button.

If you do not see the Quick Access Toolbar at all in classic Outlook, turn it on from the ribbon's drop-down menu using Show Quick Access Toolbar, or via File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar > Show Quick Access Toolbar. After that, add the Ruler as described above.

Try those steps and you should be able to view the ruler while composing. If anything behaves differently on your screen, tell me which Outlook you are on and I will adjust the steps for you.

michael 5 Reputation points

2025-10-20T08:43:28.3966667+00:00

Thanks Francisco for your message but I do not see any New Outlook toggle on the top right.

I just purchased a new computer and this article (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-or-reinstall-classic-outlook-on-a-windows-pc-5c94902b-31a5-4274-abb0-b07f4661edf5) states that the classic version is no longer available but i can download it. Big question is whether it's worth it?

The issue i've found is that when I copy and paste from a word doc into outlook, it affects the format alignment (especially with indentation / bullets) and having a ruler should make it easy to correct it.

Maybe that download is the only solution if I thinks its worth it.
Francisco Montilla 30,635 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-21T06:32:54.99+00:00

I understand, you are not seeing the New Outlook toggle because classic Outlook is not installed on this new PC. Since 2024 many new Windows devices ship with only the new Outlook, so the toggle will not appear until classic Outlook is present.

First install classic Outlook from Microsoft's download page that you referenced. Open the page, pick your language, select Download, then run the installer.

Once you are in classic Outlook, open a new message so the compose window is its own window, click Customize Quick Access Toolbar at the top of that window, choose More Commands, set Choose commands from to Commands not in the ribbon, select Ruler, click Add, then OK. From now on you can click Ruler on the Quick Access Toolbar to show or hide the ruler while you edit.

Is it worth it? If you regularly paste formatted content from Word and want ruler-based control, yes, because it is the only way to get a ruler in Outlook today.

If anything in these steps is unclear after you run the installer, tell me what you see on screen and I will adjust.
michael 5 Reputation points

2025-10-23T03:33:52.81+00:00

Thankyou Francisco.

The download function didn't work but the download from 'Microsoft Store' did work.

All solved :) And it is worth it :) :)
Francisco Montilla 30,635 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-23T08:11:13.8766667+00:00

Great! I'm glad to hear that.

Feel free to reach out again if you ever have new questions or issues. :)

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How to view Quick Access Toolbar in Outlook as it is not showing

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