How to Customize Your Lightroom Toolbar (For Faster Workflow)

How to Customize the Lightroom Toolbar

Lightroom users who have fast workflow generally take advantage of one of Lightroom's handiest features:

Is it a secret?

No, but most Lightroom users don't know how to best utilize it.

Here it is:

Customizing the Lightroom Toolbar Will Speed Up Your Workflow

Adobe does a great job in Lightroom and Photoshop (and most likely their other programs), making the interface customizable - so you can tailor it to whatever works best for you.  One area that often gets overlooked is the Lightroom Toolbar.

This easy-to-miss area changes depending on what you're doing.  If you're in the Library Module, the toolbar offers very different things than when you're in the Develop module.  Also, once you're in the Develop module, the toolbar will change depending on what tools you are using.

Where and How to Find the Lightroom Toolbar

First things first, the toolbar is the gray strip under the grid/loop view in the Library Module or the one image in the Develop Module.  If you're not seeing the toolbar, you only need to click the "T" key on your keyboard to make your toolbar pop back up.  If you find the toolbar distracting, click "T" again, and it will disappear.

Add Lightroom Tools You Use Often

Once you see the list of tools you can add to your Lightroom Toolbar, place a check next to the ones you use regularly.  This will add them instantly to your toolbar.

Remove Lightroom Tools You Rarely Use

If you find there are some Lightroom Tools you never use,  open the menu again and simply uncheck the ones you want to remove.  Those tools will disappear from your toolbar.  Bye-bye!

I'm a stickler with this.  If I never use a tool, I get rid of it so it's not cluttering my screen.  At a later day, if I need something I've previously removed, I know where to go to find it again (the menu).

But you're probably wondering:

Now you're probably wondering, "What Lightroom tools do I use most frequently and are always on my Toolbar?"

My Most Used Lightroom Tools

Tools I've added to my Lightroom Library Toolbar:

1. View modes (grid or loupe)
2. Rating
3. Flagging
4. Rotate
5. Zoom
6. Slideshow

Tools I've added to my Lightroom Develop Toolbar:

1. View modes (loupe or compare)
2. Zoom
3. Rating
4. Soft proofing
5. Navigate

Do You Want Faster Workflow in Lightroom?

Follow my tips and start customizing your own Lightroom Toolbars RIGHT NOW!  I guarantee you'll be happy you did.

Here's a short video I put together.  You will see how quick and easy it is to customize your own Lightroom Toolbars.  Watch it now!

Here are some other fantastic posts on ways to make the most of your Lightroom software.  Check them out:

• How to Find Lost Lightroom Panels
• 9 Essential Lightroom Develop Module Shortcuts to Start Using Today
• 25 Essential Lightroom Shortcuts

Do you have any questions or comments for me about Customizing Your Lightroom Toolbar?  Leave us a comment below - we would love to hear from you!  And PLEASE SHARE our tutorial using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!