Toolbar is Missing in Google Docs? Here is How to Get it Back

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This issue can be due to a lack of editing access

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 31, 2023

updated onOctober 31, 2023

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Key notes

When creating or editing Google documents online, you may notice the toolbar is missing inGoogle Docswhen you attempt to access a tool.

Luckily, the missing toolbar is likely a settings issue, so resolving it should be straightforward, just like theGoogle Doc won’t openthe problem. Here, we will explore some solutions you can apply to bring back your missing toolbar.

How do I get back the missing Google Docs toolbar?

Google Docslets you hide the toolbar for a less crowded working area. Sometimes, you do not see the toolbar because you hid it accidentally.

To restore the toolbar, open aGoogle Docsfile, place your cursor on the text box, and pressCtrl+Shift+F. This shortcut also hides the toolbar you use when you wish to unhide the toolbar.

Alternatively, you can unhide the toolbar using the arrow on the top right-hand corner of the screen.

When the toolbar is hidden, the arrow faces downward, and when shown, the arrow points upward. Therefore, if the arrow faces down, click on it to reveal the hidden toolbar. Another technique for unhiding the toolbar is to press theFn+ESCkey combination.

Sometimes, the toolbar is not missing but greyed out and disabled, which means that the owner of the Google Docs file has not granted you edit permissions.

The following solution shows how to request and grant users permission to edit the Google Docs file.

2. Get edit permissions

If you don’t have permission to edit a document, the Google Docs toolbar will be missing on your end. With the steps above, you should be able to request permission from the document owner.

3. Enable Compact Controls

Compact Controls is another feature that can make the Google Docs toolbar go missing. Enabling it should quickly restore your toolbar. It should be noted that this feature might not be available for you.

So, you can’t apply this solution if you can’t find it.

The missing Google Docs toolbar restricts your control over your documents. Thankfully, it is an issue that can be fixed quickly, as shown in this guide.

IfGoogle Docs is not printingon your PC, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly. Besides, a common problem affecting many isError 150 in Google Slides, but you can fix it by allowing video embedding.

Let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

To resolve this, we have shown you how to unhide the missing Google Docs toolbar and get permission to edit it.

Toolbar is Missing in Google Docs? Here is How to Get it Back#

How do I get back the missing Google Docs toolbar?#

1. Unhide the toolbar#

2. Get edit permissions#

3. Enable Compact Controls#

Toolbar is Missing in Google Docs? Here is How to Get it Back

How do I get back the missing Google Docs toolbar?

1. Unhide the toolbar

2. Get edit permissions

3. Enable Compact Controls