Monterey mail app - can't customize / edit mail menu bar

[Tozovac]

I'm unable to revise the toolbar menu bar atop the Mac Mail app. I tried holding ctrl but no luck. I can add the optional commands but I can't move anything. Is there a standard toolbar configuration that can't be revised, and perhaps that's what I'm running into?

I find the configuration I'm stuck with to be very inefficient and limiting. Too many needed buttons are offscreen to the right above the message. I swear I recall being able to customize the bar easily in the past.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[0128672]

No need to hold control. Just drag to remove and drag to add without pressing additional commands in the Monterey Mail toolbar. The only function I can't remove is Filter, but everything else I can move around, remove and add without limits.

Edited to add: I see Apple's Monterey guide says to use the command key, but I just tested it in a couple other apps as well as the Finder windows and using command doesn't appear to be required to add, remove or rearrange.

For reference, here's the current text from Apple's guide (https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/customize-toolbars-mchlb294260e/mac).

On your Mac, do any of the following in an app:

• Hide or show the toolbar: Choose View > Hide Toolbar or View > Show Toolbar. While working in full screen for some apps, choose View > Always Show Toolbar in Full Screen.
• Remove a button: Hold down the Command key while you drag the item out of the toolbar until you see or hear a “poof” effect.
• Rearrange buttons: Hold down the Command key while you drag an item around in the toolbar, then drop the item when an open space appears.
• Add a button: Choose View > Customize Toolbar, then drag an item from the palette to the toolbar until a plus sign
  
  appears.
• Change how buttons appear: For some toolbars, you can show labels with the buttons. Choose View > Customize Toolbar, click the Show pop-up menu, then choose an option.

 

[Tozovac]

No need to hold control. Just drag to remove and drag to add without pressing additional commands in the Monterey Mail toolbar.

I recall being able to do this before, but can't now. Whether I press no button, or press command or control + drag, here's what happens:

 

[BanditoB]

It appears that you are trying to change the default toolbar at the bottom of the window. You cannot do that. You can only drag the whole thing to the toolbar area at the top to get the default setup. Once the default toolbar is there, you can then manipulate the icons directly in the toolbar at the top of the screen or add additional tools from the available tools listed under 'Drag your favorite items into the toolbar...'. In other words, you can only manipulate the tools shown in the actual toolbar that sits at the top of the main Mail window.

So, you're doing it wrong! 😊

 

[0128672]

Posting the video was a good idea. I completely agree with @BanditoB. You can only modify the toolbar at the top. Notice in your screen the instruction just above the toolbar you were trying to modify is "... or drag the default set into the toolbar." That's only the default set, not the actual toolbar, which is at the top of your screen.

Now you know. Good luck getting it the way you want it.

 

[NoBoMac]

What they.

And add: the modifiable/target area will be wiggling icons just above the "Drag your favorite items into the toolbar" text.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I recall being able to do this before, but can't now. Whether I press no button, or press command or control + drag, here's what happens:"

Instead of dragging the entire bar at the bottom of the window, try dragging INDIVIDUAL icons from "the middle area" up to the menu bar, and see if that works instead...