Datasheet

Customizing the Default Workbook
When you create a new Excel workbook, you get a standard default workbook. What if you
don’t like that workbook? For example, you may prefer a workbook with only one work-
sheet. Or, maybe you don’t like the default font or font size. Perhaps you prefer to have the
gridlines hidden in your worksheets. Or, maybe you have a standard header that you
always use on printed pages.
As it turns out, Excel gives you quite a bit of control in this area. It’s relatively simple to
create an entirely different default workbook. The trick is creating a custom template file
named book.xltx and then saving that file to the proper location on your hard drive.
NOTE
If all you care about is changing the number of worksheets in a new workbook, that
change is very easy to make, and a template is not required. Choose Office
➪ Excel
Options, and click the Popular tab. Then change the setting for the option labeled
Include This Many Sheets. I always keep it set to 1. (After all, I can easily add more
sheets, if needed.)
To create a new default workbook template, all you need to do is customize a blank work-
book exactly as you like it. Here’s a list of some of the items you can change:
•
Number of sheets: Add or delete sheets as you like. You can also change their names.
•
Styles: Use the Style Gallery (Home ➪ Styles) to customize styles. By default, all cells
use the Normal style, so if you want to change the default font in any way (including fill
color, number format, font, and borders), modify the Normal style. To change the Normal
style, right-click its name in the Style Gallery and choose Modify. Then make the
changes in the Style dialog box.
•
Print settings: Use the commands on the Page Layout tab to specify print-related set-
tings. For example, you can include header or footer information or adjust the margins.
•
Column widths: If you don’t like the default column widths, change them.
•
Graphics: You can even insert a graphical object or two — for example, your company
logo or a picture of your cat.
When the new default workbook is set up to your specifications, choose Office ➪ Save As.
In the Save As dialog box, follow these steps:
1. Select Template (*.xltx) in the Save As Type drop-down list. If your template contains
any VBA macros, select Excel Macro-Enabled Template (*.xltm).
2. Name the file book.xltx (or book.xltm if it has macros).
3. Make sure that the file is saved to your XLStart folder. Excel proposes that you save the
file in your Templates folder, but it must be saved in your XLStart folder.
Tip 12: Customizing the Default Workbook
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