Default Headers and Footers

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 19, 2021)

1

Let's face it—when you first start Excel, the headers and footers used in your workbook are pretty boring. In fact, you may be getting tired of changing the default headers and footers on each new workbook you create. If you find yourself in this boat, you can set the headers and footers so they default to anything you desire. You can also create any other "customizations" for your worksheet in this same manner. Simply follow these steps:
  1. Open a new Excel workbook.
  2. Set up the workbook the way you want it to appear, by default. This should include (but not be limited to) headers, footers, and the like.
  3. Choose Save As from the File menu. Excel displays the Save As dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. The Save As dialog box.

  4. In the Save As Type pull-down list at the bottom of the dialog box, select Template (*.xlt).
  5. The file name you use should be Book.xlt.
  6. Save your newly created template in the XLStart folder. (Do not save it in the default template folder.)
That's it. Now, any time you create a new workbook, Excel uses your template (Book.xlt) as its model for what you want. If you are unsure of where the XLStart folder is located (step 6), use the Find feature of Windows to locate the folder. Its exact location can vary depending on how Excel was installed on your machine, as well as the version you are using. You should note that if you are using Excel in a networked environment, you may not have the proper permissions to modify or save anything in the XLStart folder on the server. If you are in this situation, you can get around it in the following manner:
  1. Create your own "startup folder" on your local machine. You can name the folder anything you like.
  2. Store the Book.xlt template file in the folder you created.
  3. Within Excel, choose Options from the Tools menu. This displays the Options dialog box.
  4. Make sure the General tab is selected. (See Figure 2.)

    5. Figure 2. The General tab of the Options dialog box.

  5. At the bottom of the dialog box, change the Alternate Startup File Location to the complete path of your own startup folder (the one you created in step 1).
  6. Click on OK to close the Options dialog box.
  7. Close and restart Excel.
There is one other caveat to this tip: If you use the Worksheet option from the Insert menu to add a new worksheet to your workbook, the new worksheet will not have the settings (including the header and footer) set the way you want them. To handle this circumstance, follow these steps:
  1. Open a new Excel workbook, after doing the previous steps. In this instance, all your settings should be just the way you want them.
  2. Delete all the worksheets from the workbook except one.
  3. Choose Save As from the File menu. Excel displays the Save As dialog box.
  4. In the Save As Type pull-down list at the bottom of the dialog box, select Template (*.xlt).
  5. The file name you use should be Sheet.xlt.
  6. Save your newly created template in the XLStart folder, not in the default template folder.
Now, when you insert a worksheet, it will be based on the single sheet you saved in Sheet.xlt.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2635) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Disabled Macros

Did you recently upgrade from Word 97 to a later version of Word, only to find that your macros no longer work? Here's ...

Discover More

Partially Blocking Social Security Numbers

Need to protect a series of Social Security Numbers in a worksheet? The techniques provided in this tip might be a good ...

Discover More

Stopping Screen Shifting

When your screen doesn't behave as you expect, it could be because of the Scroll Lock on your system. Here's what to check.

Discover More

Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!

More ExcelTips (menu)

Deleting a Header

Each new Excel worksheet contains a page header, by default. Follow this tip to get rid of headers you don't need.

Discover More

Dynamic Headers and Footers

Do you want to change the headers and footers that appear on different pages of your printout? Here's how you can get ...

Discover More

Deleting a Footer

Excel allows you to add footers to the worksheets you create. If you decide you don't need a footer any more, here's how ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is eight more than 6?

2024-05-15 10:20:29

Louis Arsenault

I use excel to prepare reports imported from Sage 50 Accounting. Every week I produce the same reports with the weekly information. Every week I do the same sorting, add the same formulas and then customize the report for visualization. Then I preview the report and customize the the printing options. I Increase the top margin then place the file name on the header. Weekly I have to open the settings and change the font type and font size before printing. Can I set the top margin to the desired height, the font type to the desired one and the font size to the desired one so the it will be there weekly

This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.