Creating Workbooks Using Templates

A template is a file with predefined settings that you can use as a starting point for your workbook. Using an Excel template makes creating a new workbook easy and results in a professional appearance. Some examples of workbook templates are Balance Sheet, Sales Invoice, and Loan Amortization.

To create a workbook using a template:

1. Click New... on the File menu.
2. Click On my computer... in the Templates area of the New Workbook task pane.
3. Click the Spreadsheet Solutions tab in the Templates dialog box.
4. Click a template icon to see a preview in the right pane.
5. Click OK.

To open the Templates dialog box, you must click New... on the File menu. The keyboard shortcut and the New button on the toolbar will only open a new workbook based on the normal template.

Clicking the Templates on Office Online link in the New Workbook task pane will launch your browser and jump to Microsoft's Web site, where you can download more Excel templates.