Office: Toolbar Buttons Appear as Question Marks

• Microsoft Office for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Office 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

Icons on the Office Shortcut Bar may appear as blue question marks. The blue question mark icon is different from the "Help Bubble" icon with the blue question mark.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if the target file that the icon is linked to is deleted, renamed, or removed from its original location.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, verify that the target file is in the location specified in the Target section of the Shortcut tab, in the Button Properties dialog box.

Additionally, when you click the blue question mark icon, the Office Shortcut Bar may attempt to locate the program (executable) file for the icon. If it cannot find the program file, it may establish a link to one of the other files in the source directory. To correct this behavior, use the following steps:

1. Right-click the question mark and click Properties.

2. Click the Shortcut tab.

3. Change the name of the file in the Target section to point to the original target file (the Excel.exe file for example).

4. Click Apply.