Introduction

In Excel 2010, there are many templates that can save you a lot of time. A template is a predesigned spreadsheet you can use to create new spreadsheets with the same formatting and predefined formulas . With templates, you don't need to know how to do the math, or even how to write formulas—these are already integrated into the spreadsheet.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to create a new workbook with a template , as well as basic information on how templates work in Excel 2010.

Using templates

Excel allows you to create a new workbook using a template , which is a predesigned spreadsheet . Several templates are preloaded in Excel, while others are located on Office.com.

To create a new workbook using a template:

1. Click the File tab to go to Backstage view .
2. Select New . The Available Templates pane appears.
3. Click Sample templates to choose a built-in template, or select an Office.com template category to download a template. In this example, we'll download a template from Office.com.
   Available Templates pane
4. Thumbnail images of the templates you can choose from appear in the center. A larger preview appears on the right.
5. Select the desired template, then click Download to open it. (If using a Sample template, Download will be replaced with Create .)
   Opening a template
6. A new workbook will appear using the template you chose.
   New workbook utilizing a template

Use caution when downloading Office.com templates . Some of them are uploaded by people not affiliated with Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee that these templates are free from viruses or defects. For these templates, you'll see a warning message before downloading them.

Challenge!

1. Browse the sample templates on your computer.
2. Browse several different template categories from Office.com.
3. Create a new workbook using a template.
4. Enter your data into the template.
5. Save and close the workbook.