Templates in Excel

Instead of creating an Excel workbook from scratch, you can save time by using Excel templates. Excel offers many free, ready-to-use templates for budgets, invoices, schedules, and more.

Use an Existing Template

To create a workbook from a built-in or online template:

1. Click the File tab → New.
2. Use the search box to find a template, or choose one from the Office templates list.
3. Click Create.

Excel downloads the template and creates a new workbook based on it (for example: HomeInventory1.xlsx).

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Create Your Own Template

If you often use the same layout, you can create and save your own Excel template.

1. Create a new workbook and set it up the way you want.
2. Go to File → Save As → Browse.
3. Enter a file name.
4. Choose Excel Template (*.xltx) as the file type.
5. Click Save.

Excel automatically saves templates in this folder:
C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Custom Office Templates

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Use a Custom Template

To create a workbook from your own template:

1. Click File → New.
2. Select Personal.
3. Click your template (for example: WeddingBudget).

Excel creates a new workbook based on the template (e.g. WeddingBudget1.xlsx).

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Edit a Template

To modify an existing template, open it directly from the Templates folder, make changes, and save it in the same location.

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👉 Tip: Templates help keep your work consistent and prevent overwriting the original file.