Expression Web [Extras]

Tools and Enhancements for Microsoft Expression Web

About Expression Web Extras Expression Web Extras is a collection of tools and enhancements for Microsoft Expression Web, Microsoft's premiere Web authoring tool. From an integrated Google sitemap builder to a task pane cleaner to free interactive buttons, it's the source for Expression Web professionals.

Rolling Your Own Buttons

If you have enough toolbars cluttering up your workspace and can't stand the thought of adding one more, you can roll your own custom Expression Web buttons. Want all the Expression Web Extra tools nice and neat under the Tools menu? No problem. Want a few buttons on the Menu Bar and a couple others on the Common toolbar? No problem. You're in control.

Steps to Assign an Expression Web Extras Tool to a Button:

  1. Click Tools > Customize.
  2. Click the Commands tab.
  3. Select Macros from the Categories list.
  4. Select either the Custom Menu Item or the Custom Button and drag it to any available toolbar or menu.
  5. Right-click the Custom Menu or Custom Button and type a name in the Name box that fits the macro. Don't hit Enter when done.
  6. Click the Assign Macro item and then select the macro you want.
  7. Click OK twice.

That's it. You now have a custom button. Optionally, change the button image to something other then a smiley face. You can also set off your buttons or menu items from other controls by using the Begin a Group option.

Watch a movie on how it's done.

 

Example: Adding a Custom Task Pane Cleaner Button

Let's say you only want to use the Task Pane Cleaner tool to manage Expression Web's multiple task panes (of course, you'd be missing out on all the other cool tools, but hey, it's up to you). By adding a custom button to the Menu Bar - the bar of menus that runs across the top of the program - you'll get the functionality of the Task Pane Cleaner without having to add yet another toolbar to Expression Web.

To add a custom Task Pane Cleaner button, follow the steps in the above section using the values below:

  • In Step 4, select Custom Menu.
  • In Step 5, type "Hide/Restore Task Panes" (without the double-quotes).
  • In Step 6, select the CleanUI macro and then click OK.
  • Right-click the Hide/Restore Task Panes menu just added.
  • Select Begin a Group.

Adding a Custom Task Pane Cleaner Menu Button

 

You can apply this technique to all the Expression Web Extras buttons. For example, if you love the Task Pane Cleaner, frequently generate search engine sitemaps, and need to track how much time you work on a project, you can customize Expression Web's Menu Bar to look something like this:

 

A Customized Expression Web Menu Bar

 

Removing Custom Menus and Buttons

It's easy to move or delete custom buttons or menus. In either Expression Web or FrontPage, do the following:

  • First, click Tools > Customize.
  • To move a menu or button: Click it and then drag and drop it to another location.
  • To delete a menu or button: Right-click it and then select Delete.

 

Expression Web Extras Macro Names and Descriptions