You can customize your Safari toolbar by adding a variety of buttons and re-arranging them. You can also revert to the default set. You can specify which buttons stick around when the window shrinks. Interesting additions include a New Tab button, an Add Bookmark button, Mail and Print buttons and Zoom buttons.
Comments: 25 Responses to “MacMost Now 327: Customizing Your Safari Toolbar”
Andrea
14 years ago
hi Gary, i was wondering if there's some way of hiding or removing just the title bar area. i still want to keep the address bar etc, but remove the section above it where the name of the site on are on is displayed.
There's no way to get rid of them as far as I know. But why do you want to? If you have bookmarked sites, then they are probably important to you. So wouldn't you want to have easy access to them?
Alvaro Rubio
12 years ago
Hi Gary, I was wondering if you knew why my toolbar is not showing the download icon for me to put on the toolbar? Thank you.
Alvaro
Hard to say without being there -- could be your version of Safari is older. Could be you aren't looking in the right place.
Alvaro Rubio
12 years ago
I know i'm looking in the right place, i've watched this episode 100 times and it's just not there Gary. I have safari 5.1.2. I'll keep looking in to it.
Thanks for the response Gary, very appreciated.
Keep in mind this video is from 2009. That's several versions of Safari back. In today's version of Safari the Downloads button is there by default (and in the default set in the customize interface). It isn't in the "other items you can add" section because there is no way to remove it -- it is a critical part of Safari. So start with the default set, then add other items you want.
Alvaro Rubio
12 years ago
It's not on my default set, and I was looking at the apple page and it shows that the safari with lion comes with download icon and i have snow leopard. That could be why. I remember that the icon was there until i deleted safari because i was having some problems with it. But now it's gust now there.
Perhaps then it just isn't available in that particular configuration of Safari 5.1.2 with Snow Leopard. Just use the menu bar to bring up the Downloads folder. Or, the Dock. Or any other method.
Bill Dahm
12 years ago
I have the same problem with the disappearance of the download button. It was there, then it somehow ended up to the right of the search window. I was unable to move it back and while clearing the download queue using that button, it disappeared altogether. I do not see it in the default list of toolbar items. I'm using Safari 5.1.3 with Lion.
Bill Dahm
12 years ago
As it turns out, once I downloaded another file, the download button returned. It is, however, still to the right of the search box. How do I get it back with the other buttons to the left of the URL bar?
The Download button/menu icon is a permanent fixture now. So you can't really customize it.
Warren Jones
12 years ago
I want to add a dictionary link to my Safari menu bar. By "menu bar" I mean the row at the very top of my screen, which now has from left to right: Apple icon, Safari, File, Edit, etc. By the way, I need a dictionary link for those words that aren't on the screen when I happen to need their definition. I want to use the menu bar to maximize the accessibility of my dictionary link. Also, is there a list of such "menu extras" that is kept current?
There's no way to add your own menus to the menu bar. That's determined by the app you are running. You can go to Safari, Services, Look Up In Dictionary if you want to access the dictionary from there. Otherwise, it is much easier to select a word, Control+Click it and choose Look Up X. Or, select and Control+Command+D.
Warren Jones
12 years ago
That's too complicated and too much trouble; however, I think I've found an answer (application) that should do the trick. It's called XMenu, and as soon as I've made one adjustment to it, it should do exactly what I want. By the way, what I have been looking for, and now found, I believe, is an icon in my menu bar that takes me to a dictionary with one-click. Not a definition for something I highlight on my screen but a real dictionary for any word I chose. XMenu seems to be a great way to achieve this. I could also use it for one-click access to anything else I chose. I haven't yet finished exploring it, but it seems like a really great way to make anything I want always instantly accessible.
Keith Wright
12 years ago
Hi Gary
Thanks for the Macmost vids. They are truly a useful resource.
I wonder if you know if the "Add This Page To" list, activated by clicking the little plus sign at the left end of the address bar, can be customised so that the Top Sites item is first.
It should always show you the last option you used. So use that button and add a page to Top Sites. Then the next time you use it, it should default to Top Sites.
Mr Anthony Cotton
12 years ago
I have just messed up my Tool bar. The names at the top have disappeared Apple icon,Safari,File,Edit, ect,and the Red,Green,and Amber lights.
Could you tell me how to get them back Gary.
Try closing that browser window and opening up a new one. Quit Safari and restart. Experiment. Try things. If that doesn't resolve it, then maybe seek first-hand help.
Mr Anthony Cotton
12 years ago
Safari was just opening up with just a small window,and then i clicked on the arrows to enlarge it, no go.
I have just did it manually,and it`s OK. It`s just has normal now.
Until i open it up again? I was trying to google it,and there seems to be quite few people with this issue. I found that it`s there,but on one site you have got catch it,because it comes down when you move your cursor up. Then it just goes back up. I will do what you said thanks Gary.
Mr Anthony Cotton
12 years ago
I have just tried it 3 times,and it worked. I caught the title bar,and it,s working now Gary.
Mr Anthony Cotton
12 years ago
After the above was sorted out, the System Preferences disappeared i clicked under File,and they were all there has icons. There was a heading called Customise. The Dock was already ticked so i clicked on this,and a window opened,and it showed you your Preferences for the Dock,and on the top of the window was Done.
I clicked on on this then the icon for the Dock appeared in the window.
I had to repeat this process with them all.
Everything is working has normal now.
Under the Apple icon,about this Mac ect...i must have hit something for the Title Bar to disappear,and under Safari Preferences,Passwords they disappeared to.
Reset Safari was effected too,and it can`t be undone.
Well has i said everything is working fine now Gary.
hi Gary, i was wondering if there's some way of hiding or removing just the title bar area. i still want to keep the address bar etc, but remove the section above it where the name of the site on are on is displayed.
thanks heaps
No, I'm sure there is not. Without that area you wouldn't have the three standard window buttons or a consistent place to drag the window.
Hi Gary, I was hoping you knew of a way to prevent the address field from displaying bookmarks in Safari. Thanks for the help.
-James
There's no way to get rid of them as far as I know. But why do you want to? If you have bookmarked sites, then they are probably important to you. So wouldn't you want to have easy access to them?
Hi Gary, I was wondering if you knew why my toolbar is not showing the download icon for me to put on the toolbar? Thank you.
Alvaro
Hard to say without being there -- could be your version of Safari is older. Could be you aren't looking in the right place.
I know i'm looking in the right place, i've watched this episode 100 times and it's just not there Gary. I have safari 5.1.2. I'll keep looking in to it.
Thanks for the response Gary, very appreciated.
Keep in mind this video is from 2009. That's several versions of Safari back. In today's version of Safari the Downloads button is there by default (and in the default set in the customize interface). It isn't in the "other items you can add" section because there is no way to remove it -- it is a critical part of Safari. So start with the default set, then add other items you want.
It's not on my default set, and I was looking at the apple page and it shows that the safari with lion comes with download icon and i have snow leopard. That could be why. I remember that the icon was there until i deleted safari because i was having some problems with it. But now it's gust now there.
Perhaps then it just isn't available in that particular configuration of Safari 5.1.2 with Snow Leopard. Just use the menu bar to bring up the Downloads folder. Or, the Dock. Or any other method.
I have the same problem with the disappearance of the download button. It was there, then it somehow ended up to the right of the search window. I was unable to move it back and while clearing the download queue using that button, it disappeared altogether. I do not see it in the default list of toolbar items. I'm using Safari 5.1.3 with Lion.
As it turns out, once I downloaded another file, the download button returned. It is, however, still to the right of the search box. How do I get it back with the other buttons to the left of the URL bar?
The Download button/menu icon is a permanent fixture now. So you can't really customize it.
I want to add a dictionary link to my Safari menu bar. By "menu bar" I mean the row at the very top of my screen, which now has from left to right: Apple icon, Safari, File, Edit, etc. By the way, I need a dictionary link for those words that aren't on the screen when I happen to need their definition. I want to use the menu bar to maximize the accessibility of my dictionary link. Also, is there a list of such "menu extras" that is kept current?
There's no way to add your own menus to the menu bar. That's determined by the app you are running. You can go to Safari, Services, Look Up In Dictionary if you want to access the dictionary from there. Otherwise, it is much easier to select a word, Control+Click it and choose Look Up X. Or, select and Control+Command+D.
That's too complicated and too much trouble; however, I think I've found an answer (application) that should do the trick. It's called XMenu, and as soon as I've made one adjustment to it, it should do exactly what I want. By the way, what I have been looking for, and now found, I believe, is an icon in my menu bar that takes me to a dictionary with one-click. Not a definition for something I highlight on my screen but a real dictionary for any word I chose. XMenu seems to be a great way to achieve this. I could also use it for one-click access to anything else I chose. I haven't yet finished exploring it, but it seems like a really great way to make anything I want always instantly accessible.
Hi Gary
Thanks for the Macmost vids. They are truly a useful resource.
I wonder if you know if the "Add This Page To" list, activated by clicking the little plus sign at the left end of the address bar, can be customised so that the Top Sites item is first.
Thanks again for the great work.
Keith
It should always show you the last option you used. So use that button and add a page to Top Sites. Then the next time you use it, it should default to Top Sites.
I have just messed up my Tool bar. The names at the top have disappeared Apple icon,Safari,File,Edit, ect,and the Red,Green,and Amber lights.
Could you tell me how to get them back Gary.
The Red/yellow/green lights are gone? That's part of the title bar. Not sure what could be wrong. Perhaps you are simply in full screen mode?
When i open up Safari it`s only small,and not full screen.
Try closing that browser window and opening up a new one. Quit Safari and restart. Experiment. Try things. If that doesn't resolve it, then maybe seek first-hand help.
Safari was just opening up with just a small window,and then i clicked on the arrows to enlarge it, no go.
I have just did it manually,and it`s OK. It`s just has normal now.
Until i open it up again? I was trying to google it,and there seems to be quite few people with this issue. I found that it`s there,but on one site you have got catch it,because it comes down when you move your cursor up. Then it just goes back up. I will do what you said thanks Gary.
I have just tried it 3 times,and it worked. I caught the title bar,and it,s working now Gary.
After the above was sorted out, the System Preferences disappeared i clicked under File,and they were all there has icons. There was a heading called Customise. The Dock was already ticked so i clicked on this,and a window opened,and it showed you your Preferences for the Dock,and on the top of the window was Done.
I clicked on on this then the icon for the Dock appeared in the window.
I had to repeat this process with them all.
Everything is working has normal now.
Under the Apple icon,about this Mac ect...i must have hit something for the Title Bar to disappear,and under Safari Preferences,Passwords they disappeared to.
Reset Safari was effected too,and it can`t be undone.
Well has i said everything is working fine now Gary.