How Do I Use a Template in Excel?
Creating an Excel spreadsheet may be as simple as opening the software, clicking inside one of the many small cells in the grid and beginning to type. But creating a spreadsheet from scratch can be a hefty commitment to design, calculation and functionality. Save time by using one of the templates included with Microsoft Excel. Templates in Excel have already been built around a number of different themes and requirements, but are completely customizable. Use a template as a starting point, then built a new spreadsheet from there.
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Instructions
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Open Microsoft Excel. Click the "File" tab. Click "New." Review the different template categories. Click a template category button, such as "Time sheets."
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Scroll through the varied templates within that category. All templates are customizable, so double-click one with an appearance suiting your project's basic requirements. The template opens in a new Excel window.
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Click into the first generic placeholder on the template, which may be something like "Employee name" or "Product number." When the cell becomes highlighted, type directly over the template text with the correct information. Repeat for the rest of the placeholder text on the template.
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Change colors on the template, such as for a row of cells shaded gray, by highlighting the area. Right-click the highlight and select "Format Cells." Click the "Fill" tab. Click a box of another color, such as one that goes with the new template theme or your organization, and click the "OK" button.
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Enter data into the template's blank or generic placeholder boxes by clicking the cursor in the cells. Move from left to right by pressing the "Tab" key and from one cell to the one below it by pressing the "Enter" key.
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Add an image such as a corporate logo to the template by clicking the "Insert" tab. Click the "Picture" button below the tab, browse to the image and double-click it, then drag it into place on the template.
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Click the "File" tab. Click "Save As." Type a name for the template---Excel won't let you overwrite the main template you started with---and click the "Save" button.
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Tips & Warnings
To use an existing, already-created Excel template, click the "File" tab and select "Open." Browse to the template's location on the computer and double-click it. Once it opens on the Excel workspace, make changes, additions and deletions as desired. Save the template with a new name to protect the original.
The walkthrough process for each template on Excel's "Available Templates" screen will be slightly different, depending on the requirements for the spreadsheet and what has already been included with the template.
