Office Settings & Configuration

How to Change Excel's Default Table Design Permanently

Bushra Parveen Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to set a custom table design as the permanent default for all new Excel workbooks.

How to Change Excel's Default Table Design Permanently

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating new workbooks and wanting a specific, custom table style to be applied automatically to all new tables.
Observed behavior: Excel's 'Set as Default' option for table styles only applies to the current workbook, requiring the user to recreate or reapply the style in every new file.

Before you start

Before setting up a permanent default table style, configure your ideal table design in a completely blank workbook so it is ready to be saved as a reusable template.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Custom Workbook Template

Since Excel does not natively support a global default table style for the entire application, saving your preferred style in a custom template is the most effective workaround.

By default, Excel saves table styles at the workbook level to prevent formatting conflicts when sharing files. To bypass this limitation, you can create a custom workbook template containing your personalized table style.

Create and set your preferred table style

Open a blank workbook in Excel. Go to the Home tab, click on 'Format as Table', right-click your preferred table style, and select 'Set as Default'. If needed, click 'New Table Style' to build one from scratch.

Save the workbook as a template

Click File > Save As. From the file format dropdown menu, select 'Excel Template (*.xltx)'. Name the file 'Book.xltx' or a custom name, and ensure it saves in your Custom Office Templates folder.

Apply the template to new workbooks

Whenever you need to create a new file with this table design permanently available, go to File > New, click on the 'Personal' or 'Custom' tab, and select your saved template.

Automating Blank Workbooks: If you save the template exactly as 'Book.xltx' and place it in the Excel XLSTART folder, Excel will automatically use it every time you press Ctrl+N or launch a new blank spreadsheet.

Efficient Spreadsheet Management

Create and Manage Custom Table Styles with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet provides a highly intuitive way to manage custom formatting and templates. You can easily set up your preferred table designs and save them as reusable templates to maintain consistency across all your data processing tasks.

1. Design your custom table: Open WPS Spreadsheet, create a sample table, and apply your preferred formatting using the 'Format as Table' options under the Home tab.
2. Save as a custom WPS template: Click Menu > Save As, choose 'Other Formats', and select 'WPS Spreadsheet Template (*.ett)' or 'Excel Template (*.xltx)' from the dropdown.
3. Reuse for future spreadsheets: Access your saved template from the 'New' tab interface to ensure all your future tables maintain consistent design and branding without repeating the setup.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xltx) formats.Extensive library of free, professionally designed templates.Lightweight application with a familiar, easy-to-use interface.Seamless management of personal formatting and style preferences.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'Set as Default' only work for the current Excel workbook?

Microsoft Excel stores table styles directly within the workbook file rather than in the application's global registry. This ensures that when you share the file with someone else, the formatting remains intact without altering their personal Excel settings.

Where is the XLSTART folder located for saving my default template?

The XLSTART folder is typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART. Saving your 'Book.xltx' template here forces Excel to load it automatically upon startup.

Will my custom table design carry over if I email the file to a colleague?

Yes. Because custom table designs and defaults are stored within the specific workbook itself, anyone who opens your saved file will see and have access to the exact custom table style you applied.

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