How to Set Letter Paper as the Default Size in Excel 2013
Question details
The user wants to configure Excel 2013 so that all newly created workbooks automatically use the Letter paper size instead of the default A4 size.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2013
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating new spreadsheet files and standardizing the page layout for printing on Letter-sized paper.
- Observed behavior
- Excel 2013 creates new workbooks in A4 size by default and lacks a global paper-size setting in the General Options menu.
Make sure you have access to your computer's hidden AppData folders, as you will need to save a template file into the Excel startup directory.
Create a Custom Default Workbook Template
Since Excel 2013 does not have a global setting for default paper size, you must create a customized blank workbook template formatted to Letter size and save it in the startup folder.
By saving a template specifically named 'Book.xltx' in the XLSTART folder, you force Excel to use this file's layout and formatting rules every time you open a new blank workbook.
Launch Excel 2013 and open a new, blank spreadsheet.
Navigate to the Page Layout tab on the top ribbon. Click on Size in the Page Setup group, and select Letter from the drop-down menu.
Click on File in the top-left corner, then choose Save As. Select Computer and click Browse to open the file explorer.
In the Save as type drop-down menu, select Excel Template (*.xltx). Name the file exactly 'Book'.
Navigate to the XLSTART folder (typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART). Click Save. From now on, any new workbook will default to the Letter paper size.
Easily Manage Page Layouts and Templates in WPS Office
WPS Spreadsheet provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface to quickly configure page sizes, adjust layouts, and save custom templates, making it an excellent, lightweight alternative for your daily tasks.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new blank spreadsheet document.
- 2. Set Paper Size: Navigate to the Page Layout tab on the top menu, click on Size, and choose Letter from the list of available paper sizes.
- 3. Save as Default Template: Go to Menu > Save As, select 'Excel Template (*.xltx)' from the file type options, name the file, and save it to easily reuse this layout format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no default paper size option in Excel 2013 settings?
Microsoft removed the global default paper size setting from the General Options menu in newer versions of Excel. Instead, the page size is dynamically determined by your default printer settings or the specific workbook template you are using.
Will creating a custom template affect my existing Excel files?
No. Saving a custom 'Book' template in your XLSTART folder only applies to new, blank workbooks created after the template is saved. Your existing workbooks will retain their original page layout settings.
How do I revert to the default A4 paper size?
To revert back to A4 size, simply navigate to the XLSTART folder, locate the 'Book.xltx' file you created, and delete it. Alternatively, you can overwrite it with a new template that has the page size set to A4.
Does this template method work for Excel versions newer than 2013?
Yes, creating a 'Book.xltx' template and saving it in the XLSTART folder is a standard method that also works in Excel 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 to define default workbook properties.
