Ribbon Based User Interface

Ribbons let you find, understand, and use commands with a minimum number of clicks. Ribbons enable quicker learning of the program as a whole.

A ribbon is a command bar that organizes the features into a series of tabs at the top of the application window. The tabs are composed of groups providing the practical commands. The tabs and logical groups increase discoverability features and functions.

The ribbon design supersedes traditional menu bars and toolbars and provides a single user interface (UI) for all commands with labeled groupings and icons.

The distinct user interface elements of the ribbon-based workspace are:

You can display the menu bar simultaneously with the ribbon.

To switch to the ribbon-based user interface (from the classic user interface):

- or -

  1. On the Tools tab, click Customize Interface (or type Customize).
  2. In the dialog box, click UI Profiles.
  3. In Show, select All UI Profiles.
  4. In UI Profiles, select Drafting and Annotation (or another name of a ribbon-based user interface).
  5. Click the Active column to activate the UI.

    The activate icon  displays behind the UI name.

  6. Click OK.

To display the menu bar: