Using a Custom Default Workbook

Starting Excel opens a blank default workbook called Book1 containing three blank worksheets. This is fine and dandy if you want a clean slate each time you start Excel. If you're like us, however, you tend to favor one workbook over the others. So, for us, opening Excel involves dismissing the default workbook and searching for our regular workbook. It sure would be handy to have that favored workbook open at the outset, ready for action.

To do so, save your default workbook (template) in the XLSTART folder (generally found in C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\ Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART in Windows, and in Applications/Microsoft Office 2004/Office/Startup/Excel under Mac OS X). Once you have done this, Excel will automatically use whichever workbook(s) you have in there as the default.

The XLSTART folder is where your personal macro workbook is created and saved automatically when you record a macro. The personal macro workbook is a hidden workbook. You also can have your own hidden workbooks open in the background if you want by opening the required workbook, selecting View → Hide under Windowoptions (pre-2007, Window → Hide), closing Excel, and clicking Yes to save changes to the workbook you just hid. Now place this workbook in your XLSTART folder. All the workbooks you hide and place within the XLSTART folder will open as hidden workbooks each time you start Excel.

Don't be tempted to place too many workbooks into this folder, especially large ones, as all of them will open when you start Excel. Too many open workbooks can greatly slow down Excel's performance.

Naturally, if you change your mind and decide to go back to a blank default workbook, simply remove the appropriate workbook or workbook template from the XLSTART folder.