'%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 Set Excel's Default Folder for Opening Workbooks
Question details
The user wants to bypass the Backstage screen when opening workbooks in Excel 2021 and directly access a specific folder without having to click Browse every time.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening existing workbooks after upgrading to Office 2021.
- Observed behavior
- Excel opens the Backstage screen by default, requiring an extra step to access the stored workbooks folder.
Ensure you have Microsoft Excel opened to a blank workbook so you can easily access the Options menu.
Bypass the Backstage View for Opening Files
Change Excel's save options to skip the Backstage screen when using keyboard shortcuts, allowing you to open files faster.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, select 'Save' from the left-hand pane.
Check the box next to 'Don't show the Backstage when opening or saving files with keyboard shortcuts', then click 'OK'.
Use the shortcut 'Ctrl + O' to bypass the Backstage screen and directly open the file explorer window.
Set the Default Local File Location
Specify the exact folder Excel should open by default when you browse for files.
Set Your Default Open and Save Folder in WPS Office
WPS Spreadsheet offers a simplified interface that allows you to quickly set your default file directories without navigating through complex Backstage screens.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet Options: Launch WPS Spreadsheet, click on 'Menu' in the top left corner, and select 'Options'.
- 2. Navigate to General and Save: In the Options dialog, go to the 'General and Save' tab.
- 3. Set the Default File Location: Find the 'Default file location' setting and click 'Browse' to select your preferred folder, then click 'OK'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel keep opening the Backstage view instead of my folders?
By default, Office 2021 and newer versions route file opening and saving through the Backstage view to integrate cloud storage options like OneDrive. You can disable this behavior for keyboard shortcuts in File > Options > Save.
Can I pin my most used folders in the Backstage view?
Yes. If you choose to keep the Backstage view active, go to File > Open, hover over your preferred folder under the 'Recent' tab, and click the pin icon to keep it at the top of the list for quick access.
Does disabling the Backstage view affect my OneDrive files?
No, disabling the Backstage view for keyboard shortcuts only changes the interface behavior. You can still access and save files to OneDrive by navigating to your synced local OneDrive folders in the standard Windows file explorer.
