Template Issues

How to Add a Custom Excel Table Style to All New Workbooks

Emma Brown Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to automatically include a custom table style in every new Excel workbook they create.

How to Add a Custom Excel Table Style to All New Workbooks

Product: Spreadsheet
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a custom table style as a default layout for all future workbooks to avoid recreating the style manually.
Observed behavior: Currently, new workbooks do not carry over custom table styles. Additionally, configuring the startup folder incorrectly by mixing Word and Excel templates causes the spreadsheet program to attempt to open Word documents, resulting in invalid-template errors.

Before you start

Ensure that you have already designed your custom table style in a blank workbook. Create a dedicated folder on your computer strictly for spreadsheet templates to prevent conflicts with other document types.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Up a Default Workbook Template with Custom Styles

Save a blank workbook containing your custom table style as an Excel Template (.xltx) and set it as your default startup file.

By configuring a specific startup folder, the application will automatically open any template saved there as the default layout for new workbooks.

Create the Template

Open a blank workbook, create or apply your custom table style, and go to File > Save As.

Save as .xltx

Choose 'Excel Template (*.xltx)' from the file format dropdown. Name the file 'Book.xltx' and save it into a dedicated folder solely meant for spreadsheet templates.

Configure Startup Folder

Go to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the 'General' section.

Apply the Path

In the 'At startup, open all files in:' field, type or paste the exact folder path where you saved Book.xltx. Click OK and restart the application.

Set Up a Default Workbook Template with Custom Styles

Separate Your Templates: Always store Excel and Word templates in different folders. If they are stored together in the startup folder, Excel will attempt to open Word templates, resulting in invalid format errors.

Solution 2

Resolve Invalid Template Errors at Startup

If your spreadsheet application tries to open unrelated files like Word templates at startup, check your folder organization and Trust Center settings.

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Use WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Template Experience

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Create a New Spreadsheet: Open WPS Spreadsheet, design your custom table style, and apply it to a blank sheet.
3. Save as Template: Go to Menu > Save As, and choose the template format (.xltx or .ett) to reuse your custom styles effortlessly across new workbooks.

Free, lightweight, and fast all-in-one office suiteSeamless format compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xltx) and Word (.docx)Tabbed interface prevents template mix-ups between documents and spreadsheetsBuilt-in professional templates library for daily use

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I rename a custom table style?

To rename your custom table style, navigate to the Table Design tab on the ribbon. Right-click your custom style in the Table Styles gallery and select 'Modify'. You can update the style's name in the dialog box that appears.

Why is Excel saying my Word template is an invalid format?

If you set a general folder as your Excel startup folder (via File > Options > Advanced > General) and it contains Word templates, Excel will attempt to open every single file in that folder upon launching. Store Word and Excel templates in separate directories to prevent this.

Should I save the template as .xltx or .xlxt?

The correct file extension for a modern Excel template is .xltx. If you see .xlxt, it is a typo and will not be recognized properly as a template file by the software.

Document & File Issues