ToolBar

In JavaFX, a ToolBar is a horizontal or vertical container that holds buttons, controls, or other nodes, usually used for app toolbars, like those in editors or browsers.

• Typically contains shortcuts, actions, or tools.
• Can contain Button, ToggleButton, Label, ComboBox, etc.
• Can be oriented horizontally or vertically.

Basic Example

import javafx.application.Application;
import javafx.scene.Scene;
import javafx.scene.control.Button;
import javafx.scene.control.ToolBar;
import javafx.scene.layout.BorderPane;
import javafx.stage.Stage;

public class ToolBarExample extends Application {

    @Override
    public void start(Stage stage) {

        // Create toolbar buttons
        Button btnNew = new Button("New");
        Button btnOpen = new Button("Open");
        Button btnSave = new Button("Save");

        // Create ToolBar
        ToolBar toolBar = new ToolBar(btnNew, btnOpen, btnSave);

        // Add ToolBar to top of BorderPane
        BorderPane root = new BorderPane();
        root.setTop(toolBar);

        Scene scene = new Scene(root, 400, 200);
        stage.setTitle("ToolBar Example");
        stage.setScene(scene);
        stage.show();
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        launch();
    }
}

Result:

• A horizontal toolbar appears at the top with buttons New, Open, Save.

Vertical Toolbar

ToolBar verticalToolBar = new ToolBar(btnNew, btnOpen, btnSave);
verticalToolBar.setOrientation(Orientation.VERTICAL);

• Now the buttons are stacked vertically.

Key Methods & Properties

toolBar.getItems();                 // get all items in the toolbar
toolBar.setOrientation(Orientation.HORIZONTAL/Orientation.VERTICAL);

• Can add any Node, not just buttons: ComboBox, Label, Separator, ToggleButton…
• Use Separator to group buttons visually:

toolBar.getItems().add(new Separator());

FXML Version

<ToolBar xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml">
    <items>
        <Button text="New"/>
        <Button text="Open"/>
        <Button text="Save"/>
        <Separator/>
        <Button text="Exit"/>
    </items>
</ToolBar>

Use Cases

• Editor toolbar (New, Open, Save, Undo, Redo)
• Image editing app (Brush, Eraser, Color picker)
• File manager shortcuts (Copy, Paste, Delete)
• Any action bar for quick access

💡 Tip: Combine ToolBar with BorderPane:

• Top → main app toolbar
• Left → vertical navigation toolbar

This is how real desktop apps structure their interface.