Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Excel New Workbooks Using Incorrect Fonts and Themes

Natalie Taylor Oct 8, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users need to restore Excel's default blank template because new workbooks are automatically inheriting unwanted fonts, colors, and formatting from other files.

How to Fix Excel New Workbooks Using Incorrect Fonts, Colors, and Themes

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Creating a new Excel workbook after previously copying a worksheet from another formatted file.
Observed behavior: Instead of opening a standard blank workbook, Excel applies incorrect formatting, including custom fonts, themes, and colors saved from a previous session.

Before you start

Ensure that Microsoft Excel is completely closed before attempting to modify startup files or edit the Windows Registry.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the XLSTART Folder and Delete Excel15.xlb

This removes customized startup files and cached configurations that force Excel to load unwanted templates for every new workbook.

Excel uses the XLSTART folder to automatically open specific templates and add-ins every time the application launches. If a modified template was accidentally saved here, all new files will adopt its formatting.

Locate the Excel AppData folder

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type '%appdata%\Microsoft\Excel' and press Enter to open the folder in File Explorer.

Delete the Excel15.xlb file

In the opened folder, look for a file named 'Excel15.xlb'. Right-click the file and select Delete to reset your customized toolbar and default settings.

Empty the XLSTART folder

Open the 'XLSTART' folder located in the same directory. If there are any files inside, especially ones named 'Book.xltx' or 'Sheet.xltx', select them and delete them. Restart Excel to check if the issue is resolved.

Clear the XLSTART Folder and Delete Excel15.xlb

Resolution Check: After deleting these files, Excel will automatically generate a fresh set of default configurations the next time you open the program.

Solution 2

Reset Excel Settings via Registry Editor

If clearing the startup files does not resolve the issue, resetting the Excel registry key will force the application to restore its factory default settings.

Solution 3

Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Office

Use this as a last resort if Excel continues to apply incorrect formatting to new workbooks due to deep system corruption.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Spreadsheet Experience

If Microsoft Excel keeps corrupting your default templates or requires complex registry resets, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for managing your spreadsheets seamlessly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the application: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
3. Open your spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and easily open your existing .xlsx files with perfect formatting and layout retention.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) and CSV formats.Free and lightweight with a familiar user interface to flatten the learning curve.Clean template management without hidden startup folders causing formatting errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel keep opening with the wrong fonts and colors?

This usually happens when a modified template (like Book.xltx) is accidentally saved in the XLSTART folder, or when the Excel15.xlb settings file becomes corrupted. Excel loads these files automatically, overriding the default blank template.

Where is the XLSTART folder located?

The XLSTART folder is typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART. You can easily access it by typing %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel in the Windows Run dialog.

Is it safe to delete the Excel registry key?

Yes, deleting the specific HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel registry key is generally safe. It forces the program to recreate the key with factory default settings upon the next startup. However, you should always back up the registry or create a System Restore point before making changes.

What is the Excel15.xlb file?

The Excel15.xlb file stores custom settings for your toolbars and ribbons in Excel. When this file gets corrupted, it can cause various display and formatting issues. Deleting it forces Excel to generate a fresh, default version of the file.

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