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# Customizing the VBA Debug Toolbar
- URL: https://nolongerset.com/customized-debug-toolbar/
- Published: 2021-07-06T03:52:07.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-08T13:03:45.000Z
- Description: There are some very handy commands that VBA does not expose by default. Here's a step-by-step guide to customizing the Debug toolbar in VBA.
- Author: Mike Wolfe
- Tags: Tools, Debugging, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59

One of the keys to being productive as a developer is customizing your environment to match your work habits. As an example, I want to take you through the customizations that I make to the Debug toolbar in the VBA IDE.

## Displaying the Debug toolbar

By default, the Debug toolbar is not shown. I find it to be quite a handy tool, so I always turn it on. There are two ways to show the Debug toolbar in the VBIDE: via the menu and via the right-click menu (aka, context menu).

#### Showing the Debug toolbar via the Menu

Click on View > Toolbars > Debug (shortcut key: Alt + V, T, Enter)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/07/image-6.png)

#### Showing the Debug toolbar via the Context Menu

1. Right-click on any empty area of the toolbar
2. Click on the Debug option to toggle it on

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/07/image-5.png)

## Customizing the Debug Toolbar

While I find the Debug Toolbar useful, there are a few changes I always make that I find make it even handier. First, here is the stock (i.e., unmodified) Debug toolbar:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/07/image-7.png)

The stock Debug toolbar (prior to customizing)

I make the changes below. I find this updated version works really well for Microsoft Access development.

### Buttons I remove from the Debug toolbar

To remove buttons from any toolbar, open the Customize dialog (Alt + V, T, C). Then right-click on the button you want to remove and choose "Delete." 

You can also left-click and drag the icon off of the toolbar. When you do this, a small "x" will appear to the bottom-right of the mouse pointer to indicate the button will be removed when you release the mouse button.

- Remove the "**Design Mode**" button; I never use that in Access, but it may be more useful with other Office products
- Remove the "**Toggle Breakpoint**" button; left-clicking in the margin to the left of the line of code (or using the F9 shortcut key) are both much handier
- Remove the "**Immediate Window**" button; Ctrl + G is seared into my memory (especially with this [Autohotkey script](https://nolongerset.com/toggle-hotkey-for-the-immediate-window/) which makes Ctrl + G a ***toggle*** to jump back and forth between code and the immediate window)

### Buttons I add to the Debug toolbar

To add buttons to the toolbar, open the Customize dialog (Alt + V, T, C). 

I add the following commands:

- Debug > **Compile Project**
- View > **Last Position** (right-click > Change Button Image > {left-pointing blue arrow}; right-click > Default Style)
- View > **Definition** (right-click > Change Button Image > {down-pointing triangle}; right-click > Default Style)
- Debug > **Show Next Statement**

## Customized Debug Toolbar

Here's what the updated toolbar looks like:

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/07/image-8.png)

My modified Debug toolbar, along with the keyboard-friendly shortcut keys/menu shortcuts.

What are your favorite VBA customizations? Let me know in the comments below.