# Changing Tag Panel and Column configuration via Toolbar button
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [April 10, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037 "2026-04-10T15:05:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Patch](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/1 "2026-04-10T15:05:22Z")
Loving this new feature in 3.34! 🤘
Just one thing missing for me, though. That’s the ability to create buttons for calling layouts/views (recalling configurations for Main Pane Columns, and for the Tag Panel).
Could _really_ use shortcut buttons for each of those…
**Right Click Tag Panel \> Customize \> Utils \> Load Configuration \> Select \*.ini \> Open**
and;
**Right Click Main Pane Columns \> Customize \> Utils \> Load Configuration \> Select \*.ini \> Open**
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### Author:  [@Sergius](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Sergius)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/2 "2026-04-10T16:51:16Z")
Hello @Patch,
You're probably referring to the Utils command, which is located in the Columns folder (see image).
@Florian already had a discussion with @LyricsLover about this, indicating that the data was stored in a toolbar.ini file. He was referring to the "Customize Toolbar" section (for the first line).
(The second line was created a few days later and is located in the same folder: data\toolbar\_custom.ini.)
> [@Dramatically changed Icons in newest v3.34-beta.6 - What do you think?](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/dramatically-changed-icons-in-newest-v3-34-beta-6-what-do-you-think/70900/25):
>
> > [@Dramatically changed Icons in newest v3.34-beta.6 - What do you think?](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/dramatically-changed-icons-in-newest-v3-34-beta-6-what-do-you-think/70900/24):
> >
> > I thought it might be best to have a separate human-readable file for that, so it's in `data\toolbar.ini`.
>
> Good idea!
> This would allow us to share our favourite toolbar compilation.
>
> BTW, for those interested:
> The `toolbar.ini` file also includes information about custom third-party icons, such as in the following example:
>
> 
>
> 
>
> Of course, the icon\_file "link" to the external source (like `chrome.exe` in the above example) must exist at the given path on the target computer.
You're probably referring to the Utils command:
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/3 "2026-04-10T17:24:09Z")
I am referring to the Utils Command.
I want to be able to recall layouts for the main pane and the Tag Panel at the click of a button, using a new button that I’d put in the Custom Toolbar…
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### Author:  [@Sergius](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Sergius)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/4 "2026-04-10T18:10:58Z")
Hello @Patch,
Please excuse my mistake.
You were referring:
> [@Patch](#):
>
> I want to be able to recall layouts for the main pane and the Tag Panel at the click of a button, using a new button that I’d put in the Custom Toolbar…
With a button: Utils…
Similar to the Tag Panel section…
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2026, 6:29pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/6 "2026-04-10T18:29:05Z")
Yes - in the new Custom Toolbar.
I’ve tried creating a Tool to do it, by using the %path% command and pointing to the .ini file - but that’s not working…
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### Author:  [@Sergius](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Sergius)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2026, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/7 "2026-04-10T18:59:13Z")
> [@Patch](#):
>
> I’ve tried creating a Tool to do it, by using the %path% command and pointing to the .ini file
If I understand correctly, you tried to program your own tool, not the Mp3tag one, to place your data in the toolbar.ini file.
Is that correct?
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 12:19pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/8 "2026-04-11T12:19:02Z")
No - the .ini file is already created. It is a layout that I have created and saved. I have many. I have tried to create a Tool in the MP3Tag Options Menu to open the .ini file.
I want to create a button in the new custom toolbar that I can click, that will apply the layout in the \*.ini file.
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 1:08pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/9 "2026-04-11T13:08:13Z")
> [@Patch](#):
>
> I want to create a button in the new custom toolbar that I can click, that will apply the layout in the \*.ini file.
In theory, you can add any external batch `*.cmd` or Windows `.exe` file you like.
If you could provide us with more detailed instructions on the steps you took, we might be able to help you create a similar Tools entry (with an external batch) in Mp3tag.
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### Author:  [@Sergius](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Sergius)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/10 "2026-04-11T16:02:15Z")
Hello @Patch,
Here's how to program a tool to open the .ini file:
Example: toolbar.ini
C:\Users\Your filename\AppData\Roaming\Mp3tag\data\toolbar.ini
I learned this programming from @LyricsLover
Mp3tag Tools
Name: Open(Mp3tag): toolbar.ini
Path: C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
Parameter: /c start "" "C:\Users\Your filename\AppData\Roaming\Mp3tag\data\toolbar.ini"
This opens the toolbar.ini file.
Hello LyricsLover, I have a question: I tried this formula in the Mp3tag tool, but it doesn't work.
C:\Users%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Mp3tag\data\toolbar.ini
The Mp3tag tool refuses to read %USERNAME%. It seems to me that this is a commonly used setting in Windows.
Does the Mp3tag tool, need to be configured differently?
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/11 "2026-04-11T16:05:48Z")
> [@Sergius](#):
>
> The Mp3tag tool refuses to read %USERNAME%.
What do you get as preview if you enter `%username%` in Convert\>Tag-Tag?
To get the environment variable for the user's name, try `$getenv(username)`
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/12 "2026-04-11T16:24:19Z")
You can try it this way:
Parameter:
`/c start "" $getenv(appdata)\Mp3tag\data\toolbar.ini`
I'm not sure if @Patch is looking for this 😉
BTW:
> [@Sergius](#):
>
> `%USERNAME%`
is usually correct inside a pure Windows Batch-CMD.
In a Windows Batch-CMD `%username%` will be expanded to
`C:\Users\Sergius`
`%appdata%` would be expanded to
`C:\Users\Sergius\AppData\Roaming`
* * *
**For those who are interested:**
You can also define a specific Windows editor (like the built-in `notepad.exe`) that should open your `*.ini` file:
Also a 3rd party editor like **Notepad++** is possible:
`/c start "" "C:\Program Files\Tools\System\Notepad++\notepad++.exe" "$getenv(appdata)\Mp3tag\data\toolbar.ini"`
_Of course, you will need to adjust the full path to your third-party editor depending on how you installed it._
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### Author:  [@Sergius](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Sergius)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/13 "2026-04-11T17:12:32Z")
Hello @ohrenkino
Convert\>Tag-Tag?
Format string: %username%
No data
Format string: $getenv(username)
Correct data:
(My computer name) 🙂
Hello @LyricsLover,
Indeed, I use %USERNAME% for my Batch-CMD scripts.
Thank you so much for your explanations and examples. I hope @Patch finds what he's looking for...
This $getenv(username) data that ohrenkino and you, LyricsLover, gave me works very well...
Thank you, LyricsLover, for the programming data for the Tools. It's not easy to program this command in the Tools... 🤔
Thanks again for the Notepad and Notepad++ examples. I'm going to do some tests; I find it very interesting... 😉
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/14 "2026-04-12T11:57:46Z")
Well this has taken a bit of a turn. 😆
I definitely don’t want to open the .ini file to edit it - I just want the view settings in it to be applied in MP3Tag, without having to click:
1. Right Click Main Pane Columns or the Tag Panel \> 2) Customize \> 3) Utils \> 4) Load Configuration \> 5) Select \*.ini \> 6) Open
**I want to create a new button, in the custom toolbar, to have the view applied.**
Replace 6 mouse clicks with 1.
It’s a good use for the new custom toolbar buttons, no?
Tell you what - keyboard shortcuts for views would also be killer…
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2026, 8:54am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/15 "2026-04-17T08:54:36Z")
So, uh, I’ve had to admit defeat on this one.
@Florian Do you think this is something that is even possible? Feels like a really god use of the custom toolbar, no?
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2026, 9:17am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-tag-panel-and-column-configuration-via-toolbar-button/71037/16 "2026-04-17T09:17:12Z")
I've seen your suggestion and it might be possible. I haven't experimented with this and I'm currently not working on it. However, I've added your suggestion to my internal wish list.
* * *
Glad you like the new toolbar and the configuration options!
TBH, I haven't replied to every post and email that sneaked in yet another feature request, my brain was pretty fried after the past weeks of work and I'm mostly spending my days doing taxes and answering the gazillion emails in my inbox.