'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Remove the Create with Templates Section in Excel Online
Question details
The user wants to hide or disable the 'Create with Templates' section on the Excel for the web homepage to prevent it from pushing recent files further down the screen.
- Product
- Excel for the web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing the Excel Online homepage layout to access recent files more efficiently.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Create with Templates' banner occupies significant space at the top of the homepage, forcing users to scroll down to see their recent files list.
Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft 365 account on your web browser. Note that cloud-based interfaces are frequently updated by Microsoft, so design elements and available settings may change.
Understand Design Limitations and Submit User Feedback
Currently, Microsoft does not provide a built-in option for users or administrators to disable the templates section on the web.
The 'Create with Templates' section is permanently integrated into the Excel for the web interface by Microsoft's design team. Because this is a server-side web application, standard users and enterprise administrators cannot modify this layout to hide the banner.
If this feature disrupts your workflow by pushing recent files out of view, the best course of action is to submit official product feedback to Microsoft requesting a toggle option.
Navigate to Excel for the web and log into your Microsoft account.
Click on the 'Help' tab located in the top ribbon menu of the application.
Select 'Feedback', choose 'I have a suggestion', and describe your request to allow hiding the templates section on the home screen.
Switch to WPS Office for a Cleaner Workspace
If you are frustrated by inflexible online interfaces and want a clean, customizable spreadsheet tool, WPS Office is an excellent free alternative. It offers a familiar interface without forced web banners, ensuring your recent files are always easily accessible.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite to your computer.
- 2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch the application and open the Spreadsheets module for a clutter-free environment.
- 3. Access Recent Files Quickly: View all your recent files immediately on the uncluttered start screen without unnecessary scrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I collapse the templates section in Excel for the desktop?
Yes. Unlike Excel for the web, the desktop version of Microsoft Excel allows you to customize the Start screen. You can turn off the Start screen entirely by going to File > Options > General, and unchecking 'Show the Start screen when this application starts'.
Is there a browser extension to hide the templates in Excel Online?
While some custom ad-blockers or CSS injection extensions might allow you to hide specific web elements locally on your browser, this is not officially supported. Doing so may break site functionality if Microsoft updates the underlying page structure.
How can I access my recent files faster in Excel Online?
If the templates section pushes your files down, you can use the 'Pin' feature. Hover over your most important files in the Recent list and click the pin icon. You can then quickly access them in the dedicated 'Pinned' tab.
Will Microsoft add an option to remove templates in the future?
Microsoft frequently updates the Microsoft 365 web interface based on user feedback. While an option to hide templates is not currently available, submitting a feature request through the Help > Feedback menu increases the likelihood of it being added in future updates.
