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Can You Remove the Create with Templates Section in Excel Web?
Question details
The user wants to know how to hide or disable the Create with Templates section on the Excel online home page to streamline their workspace.
- Product
- Excel for the Web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the home page layout in the web version of Excel.
- Observed behavior
- The Create with Templates section appears prominently above the Recent files list, but there are no visible interface options or settings to hide it.
Verify whether you are using Excel for the Web or the Excel Desktop application, as layout customization options differ significantly between the two platforms.
Acknowledge the Limitation and Submit Feedback
Currently, the layout of Excel for the Web is strictly controlled by Microsoft, and individual users cannot disable the templates section.
Unlike the desktop version of Excel, the web-based version has a fixed user interface designed by Microsoft to promote template usage. At this time, neither individual users nor organization administrators have the ability to toggle off or hide the 'Create with Templates' section.
The best course of action is to submit a feature request to Microsoft so their development team can consider adding this customization in future updates.
Log in to your Microsoft account and navigate to the Excel for the Web home page.
Click on the 'Help' tab in the top ribbon, or look for the 'Feedback' icon (often represented by a smiley face) in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Select 'I have a suggestion' from the feedback menu. Write a brief message explaining that you would like an option to hide or collapse the 'Create with Templates' section to better view your Recent files, and click Send.
Use Excel Desktop to Bypass the Start Screen
If the web interface is too cluttered, you can switch to the Excel Desktop app, which allows you to disable the start screen entirely.
Enjoy a Clutter-Free Workspace with WPS Office
If the forced layouts in Excel for the Web disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, highly customizable, and lightweight desktop alternative without intrusive online dashboard elements, all while maintaining perfect compatibility with your existing files.
- 1. Download the Application: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer. Once installed, open WPS Spreadsheet to access a clean, traditional grid interface.
- 3. Open Your Excel Files: Click 'Open' and select any of your existing Microsoft Excel files to continue your work without missing a beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft force the 'Create with Templates' section in Excel Web?
Microsoft includes the templates section by default to help users discover new formatting options and speed up document creation. However, this unified web design currently lacks the personalized toggle options found in their desktop software.
Can my IT administrator hide the templates section for our organization?
No. The layout of the Office web apps is controlled globally by Microsoft. Tenant administrators in Microsoft 365 currently do not have a policy or admin center setting to disable the templates section for their users.
Is there a browser extension to hide the templates section in Excel Web?
While some ad-blockers or custom CSS browser extensions (like Stylus) can theoretically be configured to hide specific HTML elements on a webpage, doing so is not officially supported and may break other interface functionalities when Microsoft updates the site's code.
