A template in Excel is a spreadsheet file containing common data and formatting options that is used as a model for other spreadsheets.
- Formatting can include font and layout changes, conditional formatting, color changes, and any other available options.
- Charts can added to the template file as can formulas, functions, look up tables, and macros.
Steps to creating a template in Excel 2007
- Enter all of the necessary data.
- Add or remove rows and columns as needed.
- Create formulas, charts and other options.
- Apply all formatting options.
To save the template once all changes have been made to your spreadsheet:
- Click on the office button to open the drop down menu.
- Choose the Save As option.
- Choose the Other formats option.
- Choose the Save As option to open the Save As dialog box.
- Click on the Save as type option to open the drop down list.
- Scroll through the list to find the template options.
Template options
There are three templates that can be created in Excel 2007:
- Excel Template (*.xltx)
- Excel Macro Enabled Template (*.xltm)
- Excel 97 - 2003 Template (*.xlt)
If your template contains macros:
- choose the Macro Enabled Template (*.xltm) option
If you plan to use your template with older versions of Excel:
- choose the Excel 97 - 2003 Template (*.xlt) option
For all other templates:
- choose the Excel Template (*.xltx) option
Once saved, your template is stored in the templates folder on your computer.
Accessing Your Templates
To open a template you have created:
- Click on the office button to open the drop down menu
- Click on the New option to open the New Workbook dialog box
- Click on the My templates option in the left hand pane to open the templates dialog box
- Click on the template you wish to open
- Click Ok to open the template in Excel



