Office Settings & Configuration

How to Set Default Margins and Settings for All New Excel Sheets

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to configure specific default margins and page settings that automatically apply every time a new Excel workbook or worksheet is created.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating new Excel workbooks or inserting new sheets and needing custom page layout margins to be applied by default without manual adjustment.
Observed behavior: Excel does not offer a visible default margins setting in its standard options menu, requiring the use of specific startup templates to apply these configurations globally.

Before you start

Before proceeding, determine the exact margin measurements you need for your future documents. It is also recommended to close any currently active Excel files to prevent saving unwanted data into your new default template.

Solution 1Recommended

Use XLSTART Templates for New Workbooks and Worksheets

Create and save customized template files (Book.xltx and Sheet.xltx) in the Excel startup folder so every new file automatically inherits your preferred margin settings.

Because Excel doesn't feature a direct button to change default margins globally, configuring templates in the hidden XLSTART folder is the most effective method. Be aware that this method applies primarily to workbooks created via the 'Ctrl+N' shortcut or the Quick Access Toolbar, rather than through the 'File > New > Blank workbook' menu.

Set margins in a blank workbook

Open a completely blank workbook in Excel. Navigate to the 'Page Layout' tab, click on 'Margins', and select 'Custom Margins' to input your desired default measurements.

Save the workbook template

Go to 'File' > 'Save As'. In the file format dropdown menu, select 'Excel Template (*.xltx)'.

Navigate to the XLSTART folder

In the File Explorer address bar of the Save dialog, type `%appdata%\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART` and press Enter to open the startup folder.

Save as Book.xltx

Name the file exactly `Book.xltx` and click 'Save'. This file will now act as the default layout for all newly created workbooks.

Create the sheet template

Delete all but one sheet in your current workbook, ensuring the margin settings are still intact. Save it again in the same XLSTART folder, but this time name it exactly `Sheet.xltx`. This ensures any new individual worksheet inserted into an existing file also inherits your custom margins.

Activating the Template: To see your custom margins applied to a new document, you must use the Ctrl+N keyboard shortcut or the 'New' icon on your Quick Access Toolbar. Using 'File > New > Blank workbook' bypasses this startup template.

Easy Default Templates

How to Set a Default Spreadsheet Template in WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet offers a much more straightforward way to configure default page margins. You can simply create your ideal layout and set it as your default template directly from the main settings menu, completely bypassing hidden system folders.

1. Format your template: Open WPS Spreadsheet, go to the 'Page Layout' tab, and adjust your margins to your desired default specifications.
2. Save as an ETT file: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner, select 'Save As', and choose 'WPS Spreadsheet Template (*.ett)'. Save the file to an easily accessible location.
3. Access general options: Click 'Menu' again, select 'Options' from the bottom right of the dropdown, and navigate to the 'General and Save' tab in the left pane.
4. Apply the default template: Under the 'New document' section, check the box for 'New document based on default template'. Click 'Browse', select the template you just saved, and click 'OK'.

No need to memorize hidden AppData system folder paths100% compatible with Microsoft Excel file formats (.xlsx, .xltx)Free and lightweight Office suite with familiar Page Layout controlsSeamlessly applies your custom margins to all new spreadsheet creations

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't 'File > New > Blank workbook' use my custom default margins?

In Excel, clicking 'File > New > Blank workbook' generates a hard-coded blank file that specifically bypasses the XLSTART startup folder. To ensure your custom Book.xltx template is used, you must create new files using the Ctrl+N keyboard shortcut.

Where is the XLSTART folder located on my computer?

By default on Windows, the XLSTART folder is hidden deep within your user profile. The fastest way to access it is by typing `%appdata%\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART` directly into your Windows File Explorer address bar and pressing Enter.

Does the Book.xltx template affect new sheets added to existing workbooks?

No, the Book.xltx template only controls the margins for completely new workbooks. To ensure newly inserted worksheets match your desired default margins, you must also save a single-sheet template named Sheet.xltx in the exact same XLSTART folder.

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