How to Customize the Quick Access Toolbar in AutoCAD for a Faster, Smarter Workflow

If you’ve ever wished AutoCAD could adapt to your way of working, the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) is where that wish comes true. Learning how to customize the Quick Access Toolbar in AutoCAD can dramatically speed up your workflow and reduce repetitive clicks, and make your design process smoother than ever. This small but powerful feature lets you keep your most-used commands—like Layer Properties, Trim, Offset, and Save—right at your fingertips. Whether you’re designing a residential layout, drafting road plans, or creating structural details, a customized QAT transforms your AutoCAD into a workspace built entirely around you

What is the Quick Access Toolbar?

The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) is a compact set of command shortcuts located at the very top of the AutoCAD interface. It provides one-click access to commonly used tools — so instead of navigating through multiple menus or ribbons, you can instantly perform frequent actions.

By default, AutoCAD includes these essential tools on the QAT:

• 🆕 New Drawing – Quickly open a blank DWG file and start your new project.
• 📂 Open – Access an existing drawing file from your system.
• 💾 Save / Save As – Save your current work or create a copy under a new name.
• 🖨️ Plot / Print – Print your design directly from the toolbar for easy output.
• ↩️ Undo / Redo – Instantly revert or repeat your last action.
• 🎨 Match Properties – Easily apply the same properties from one object to another.
• ⬇️ More Tools – Use the drop-down menu to access additional commands and customization options.

While this default setup is useful, the real advantage of QAT lies in how customizable it is. You can add, remove, and organize commands to perfectly suit your personal workflow.

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Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar

One of the best things about the QAT is its flexibility. You can easily add, remove, or rearrange commands to suit your personal workflow. click here

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Click the drop-down arrow on the right end of the QAT.
2. Select or deselect the commands you want to add or remove (like Layer, Isolate, or Properties).
3. To add more advanced tools, select “More Commands” and browse through AutoCAD’s full command list.
4. You can even move the QAT below or above the ribbon depending on your screen layout preference.

Imp: Adding the Layer dropdown is especially useful for quick layer management while working on complex drawings.

Enabling Legacy Menu Bar (File, Edit, View, etc.)

If you prefer the classic AutoCAD interface, you can bring back the old menu bar (File, Edit, View, etc.) directly from the QAT dropdown.

Simply:

1. Click the QAT dropdown arrow.
2. Choose “Show Menu Bar.”
3. The traditional menu will appear at the top of your workspace.

This helps users who are comfortable with AutoCAD’s older versions or transitioning from classic to ribbon-based interfaces.

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Cloud Integration and File Sharing

Modern AutoCAD versions come with built-in cloud integration—and the QAT makes it easily accessible.

You can now:

• Save drawings to the cloud, such as AutoCAD Web or Mobile.
• Open files directly from your online storage.
• Share drawings securely with colleagues or clients using the Share tool, which includes external references (Xrefs) for smooth collaboration.

This makes it easier than ever to work from multiple devices or collaborate in real-time with your team.

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Why Customize the QAT (Quick Access Toolbar) ?

Let’s take a practical – example.
Suppose you’re working on a residential layout. You constantly use commands like Line, Offset, Trim, Extend, and Layer Properties. Instead of clicking multiple tabs to find them each time, you can pin them to your QAT.

This means all your essential tools are right in front of you — always available no matter which Ribbon tab you’re on. It saves time, reduces distractions, and helps you focus purely on designing.

Here’s what you’ll gain by customizing your QAT:

• Faster Access: Run your most-used commands instantly.
• Smooth Workflow: No need to search through tabs or ribbons repeatedly.
• Personalization: Create a workspace that matches your design habits.
• Professional Efficiency: Spend more time on design, less on navigation.

In short, QAT turns AutoCAD into your AutoCAD.

Summary!

The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in AutoCAD is a customizable feature that significantly enhances workflow efficiency by providing one-click access to frequently used commands. Located at the top of the AutoCAD interface, the QAT comes with default tools like New, Open, Save, Plot, Undo/Redo, and Match Properties. However, its true power lies in its customizability, allowing users to add, remove, and organize commands such as Layer Properties, Trim, and Offset to match their personal design habits. Users can also enable the legacy menu bar and access cloud integration features directly from the QAT for saving, opening, and sharing drawings. By personalizing the QAT, designers can achieve faster access to tools, a smoother workflow, and increased professional efficiency, ultimately transforming AutoCAD into a workspace tailored to their specific needs.