  Toolbar is one among the popular elements of a graphical user interface. The
other popular elements of graphical user interface are buttons, menu,
scrollbar, dialog box etc., all of which provide easy access to various
functions of a GUI System.
  A toolbar often does a similar function as the menu but with certain
differences. A menu has the advantage of holding a large number of items
without needing any additional screen space. In contrast, each button on the
toolbar permanently occupies some space on the screen. It is not possible to
implement large number of functions through a toolbar, as they will occupy more
and more valuable screen space. However, the toolbar has an advantage as it
gives a single click access to any function unlike a menu system where the user
has to navigate through sub-menus to ultimate discover the item he is looking
for.
  This article explores the desired features of a toolbar and the ideal
features of an advanced toolbar. The contradictions are described from a TRIZ
perspective and solutions are derived using Inventive principles. Besides the
article illustrates 10 inventions on improving Toolbars selected from US patent
database.
