Excel 2013 — change default template

Question

Hello,

What is the proper way to modify the default template (for new workbooks) in Excel 2013.

I realize that some changes (font, font size, number of sheets) can be made for the default template by going to File > Options > General. But what is the correct way to make other changes to the default template. For example, suppose you want to modify the font color for hyperlinks? how is that best done.

Thanks

Answer 1

Here is how I've been able to get what I like.

1)  Create a book.xltx template with all the styles etc. you use/want and save it to the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\XLSTART\ folder.

2)  Under Excel Options (File\Options) General Start up options, uncheck the Show the Start screen when this application starts.

Now whenever Excel opens, I get a new book1 - Excel workbook based on my customized book.xltx template.

As a backup, I also save the template in the C:\Users<username>\Documents\Custom Office Templates\ folder so I can open it with File\New\PERSONAL.

Windows 8.1

Office 2013

Answer 2

In this season of good will, I hate to be contrary but my XLSTART folder is found in C:\Users\Bernard\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel (where Bernard is my user name, of course)

best wishes

Answer 3

Here is how I've been able to get what I like.

1)  Create a book.xltx template with all the styles etc. you use/want and save it to the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\XLSTART\ folder.

2)  Under Excel Options (File\Options) General Start up options, uncheck the Show the Start screen when this application starts.

Now whenever Excel opens, I get a new book1 - Excel workbook based on my customized book.xltx template.

As a backup, I also save the template in the C:\Users<username>\Documents\Custom Office Templates\ folder so I can open it with File\New\PERSONAL.

How do you set up the PAGE so that you get the same formatting when you add a new page, please?  We used to create 'BOOK' for the first template and 'PAGE' for additional pages, but I'm not getting it to work.

JohnDareMitchell

Answer 4

In this season of good will, I hate to be contrary but my XLSTART folder is found in C:\Users\Bernard\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel (where Bernard is my user name, of course)

best wishes

Every version of Office to date has created at least two xlstart folders upon installation.

One of them will be in the path that aaronmu posted.

That path has never been the default path to BOOL.XLT

I don't know why Office(or Windows?) creates that folder.

Gord

Answer 5

This works just fine!  The 2nd step, alas, is important!