How to Make an Excel Spreadsheet

How to create blank & template-based workbooks in Excel

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How to Make an Excel Spreadsheet

Creating a new workbook is one of the most basic commands you need to know in Excel. You can create a new, blank workbook or create a new workbook based on a variety of pre-designed templates.

Create a Blank Workbook

Most of the time you’ll want to create a blank workbook.

  1. Click the File tab.
    Create a Blank Workbook
  2. Click New.
  3. Select Blank workbook.
    Create a Blank Workbook

Press Ctrl + N to quickly create a new blank workbook.

A new, blank workbook is created, and you can start entering data.

Create a Workbook from a Template

If you need help getting started with a common document, such as an invoice, expense report, or calendar, you can use one of Excel’s templates instead of starting from scratch.

  1. Click the File tab.
    Create a Workbook from a Template
  2. Click New.
  3. Find the template you want by:
    • Searching for the type of template you want, using keywords that describe it, such as “calendar” or “invoice”.
    • Clicking a suggested search, located below the search field.
    • Selecting the template you want, if it already appears on the page.
    Create a Workbook from a Template
  4. Select a template style.
    Create a Workbook from a Template
  5. Excel will create a new workbook, based on the template you select.

  6. Click Create.
    Create a Workbook from a Template

A new workbook is created from the template, and you can start populating it with your own data.