After installing Microsoft Office, the apps are usually available from the Windows Start menu. However, many users prefer to have quick access to programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook directly from the desktop or taskbar.
This guide shows you how to create desktop shortcuts and pin Office apps to the taskbar in Windows.
Add Office Apps to the Desktop #
To create a desktop shortcut for an Office program:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type the name of the Office app you want to add, for example Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
- When the app appears in the search results, right-click it.
- Select Open file location.
A folder will now open with the Office app shortcut.
- Right-click the Office app shortcut in that folder.
- Select Send to.
- Click Desktop (create shortcut).
A shortcut for the selected Office app should now appear on your desktop.
Pin Office Apps to the Taskbar #
You can also pin Office apps to the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. This makes it easy to open them with one click.
To pin an Office app to the taskbar:
- Press the Windows key.
- Search for the Office app you want to pin, such as Word or Excel.
- Right-click the app in the search results.
- Select Pin to taskbar.
The app icon should now appear on your taskbar.
Repeat for Other Office Programs #
Repeat the same steps for each Office app you want quick access to, such as:
- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- OneNote
- Access
- Publisher
Not all Office packages include every app, so some programs may not be available on your computer.
If You Cannot Find the Office App #
If the Office app does not appear when you search for it, try restarting your computer first. If it still does not appear, Office may not be installed correctly, or the specific app may not be included in your Office version.
You can also check your installed apps by going to:
Settings > Apps > Installed apps
From there, search for Microsoft Office or the name of the Office app.