Templates in Microsoft Excel 2003
Introduction
Microsoft Excel lets you create your own templates for both new workbooks
and new worksheets. These templates can store various characteristics
including:
• Data and Graphics - eg data, formulae, charts, page headers/footers
• Formatting - eg cell/sheet formats, cell styles, page formats, the number
of sheets in a workbook, protected or hidden areas of a worksheet
• Toolbars and Option settings - eg custom toolbars, macros, calculation
and display options
This document shows you how to create your own workbook and worksheet
templates. It also shows you how (on a non-public PC) to make these
templates the defaults, so that every new workbook and/or worksheet
automatically has the characteristics you have set up.
Workbook Templates
To create a workbook template you simply create a new file with all the
characteristics required and then save it as a template.
1. Start up Excel as usual or open a [New] workbook
2. Set up the new workbook exactly as you require it - either make your own
changes or follow steps 3 to 5 below
3. Insert an extra worksheet (right click on any sheet tab, choose Insert...,
check that Worksheet is selected then press <Enter> for [OK])
4. Rename the worksheets to Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter (again
right click on the tabs in turn, choose Rename, type in each name and
press <Enter>)
5. Colour each worksheet (eg green, yellow, brown and white) - press <Ctrl
a> to select the cells then click on the list arrow attached to the [Fill
Color] button and select a colour
Once you have finished setting up your workbook:
6. Open the File menu and choose Save As...
7. Change Save as type: to Template (*.xlt)
8. Supply a File name: (eg Seasons) then press <Enter> for [Save]
9. [Close] the template file window - but leave Excel running
Creating a Workbook using a Template
It's now time to try out your template. The instructions which follow show you
how to create an ordinary workbook and one using the