Customizing the Ribbon

Question

When adding a custom tab and then a group I added a command to the ribbon that executes one of my macros. When renaming the command, I am permitted to select an icon or symbol if you will to represent the command on the ribbon. My question is this: Is if possible to import additional images for this purpose?

Answer 1

Perhaps a little less daunting:

Modifying Custom Ribbon Icons and Text

I am not a big fan of the ribbon customization features available in Word 2010/2013 and prefer using a RibbonXLM script: Customize Ribbon.  However, if you want to use the built-in utility, you can enhance it significantly by editing the UI customization file that you create using an XML editor application:

• After creating your ribbon customizations, export the customization file to your desktop.
• Close Word.
• Open the exported customization file in a suitable XML editor.  I use Notepad.
• Edit the exportedUI file to modify the label or imageMso attributes.
• Save and close the the exportedUI file.
• Open Word, open the Customize the Ribbon dialog and import the file you just edited.

Note: You can only use the imageMso attributes and available Microsoft icons for customizations using this method.

Answer 2

Yes ... but

The default process for applying icons does not allow you to select custom images.

However, if you are willing to use "advanced" ribbon customization techniques you can "edit the ribbon XML" to use custom icons.

It isn't all that hard, but it is somewhat technical.  So, how important is it to you to use custom images.

Here is an undoubtedly overwhelming list of links on customizing icons in the ribbon.

Icons

http://www.ka-net.org/office/office2010icon/ - icons

Where is my button that I add to the QAT of my workbookEnable or Disable custom Ribbon buttons in Excel 2007-2010

Images on Custom Ribbon controls

2007 Office System Add-In: Icons Gallery - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=146598

Custom Ribbon Icons http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Ribbon_Custom_Icons.htm

Office 2007 : Icons Gallery - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=12B99325-93E8-4ED4-8385-74D0F7661318&displaylang=en

Office 2010 : Icons Gallery - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2d3a18a2-2e75-4e43-8579-d543c19d0eed

Ribbon Images Labels

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Ribbon_Images_Labels_Part1.htm

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Ribbon_Images_Labels_PartII.htm

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Ribbon_Images_Labels_PartIII.htm

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Ribbon_Images_Labels_PartV.htm

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/word_tip_pages/ribbon_custom_icons.html  Create Custom Icons 

Customize the Office User Interface in Office 2010 - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff468686.aspx

Customize the Ribbon (It doesn’t take Rocket Science) http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Customize_Ribbon.htm

Customizing Context Menus in Office 2010 - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182186

Customizing the 2007 Office Fluent Ribbon for Developers Ken Gertz -

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa338202.aspx- Part 1 of 3 Oct 2006

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa338199.aspx- Part 2 of 3 Nov 2006

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa722523.aspx- Part 3 of 3 Dec 2006

This article includes two very useful lists:

The Ribbon control IDs you need to disable or repurpose certain built-in controls.

You can disable or repurpose controls on the Ribbon. But for some controls, the control ID you need to do this is not the same control ID you use for other purposes. Ken provides a list.

A list of all C#, VBA, C++ and Visual Basic callbacks and signatures for all Ribbon controls. This list is invaluable. The signatures are not the same for each language. This is the only place I've found an authoritative list of signatures for use in creating a COM add-in in VB6 to customize the Office Ribbon.

Customizing the Office 2010 Backstage View for Developers - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=184245

 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee815851%28v=office.14%29.aspx

Customizing the Word 2007 Fluent Ribbon Is As Easy As 1-2-3

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc501317(v=office.12).aspx - Part 1 of 2 Apr 2008

 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc508991(v=office.12).aspx - Part 2 of 2 May 2008

Deploying a Customized Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar in Office 2010 - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=184247&clcid=0x409

Display and Hide Tabs, Groups, and Controls on the Microsoft Office Ribbon

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee390805(office.11).aspx - Part 1 of 2

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee633442(office.11).aspx - Part 2 of 2

Excel 2007-2010 Ribbon and QAT pages - http://www.rondebruin.nl/tips.htm

Galleries in the Ribbon - http://www.rondebruin.nl/galleries.htm

Installing Add-Ins 2007 - http://www.andypope.info/tips/tip010.htm

Targeting User Interface Solutions to the 2007 and 2010 Releases of Microsoft Office - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=184298

Icon Customization - http://en.allexperts.com/q/Microsoft-Word-1058/2007-icon-customizaton.htm

Answer 3

Thank you.

Answer 4

Well, it isn't critical that I change them. I am an amateur writer, and I use various macros to create booklet templates of various sizes, and to edit my writing in all sorts of ways. I don't care for the book fold method. It is not user friendly (to me.)

I've elected to utilize the custom ribbon features provided by word to grow in this purpose. I certainly do not wish to distract myself from my true goals over something of lesser importance, so your point is well taken. Still, I will take in all of your information and thank you for providing it. You answered my question generously. I'm grateful.