Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 13, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
Whenever Denise creates a new workbook, Excel always creates it with three worksheets. She seldom (if ever) uses three worksheets in a workbook, so she deletes the extras. This is a bit bothersome to Denise, so she wonders if there is a way to tell Excel that she only wants one or two worksheets when she creates a workbook.
The short answer is yes, there is a way—and it is quite simple. Before explaining how this is done, though, Denise should be commended on making sure that her workbooks contain only the number of worksheets needed for the data contained therein. (It can be a bother to have extraneous, empty worksheets in a workbook!)
In order to adjust the number of worksheets in a new workbook, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The General options of the Excel Options dialog box
That's it; the next time you start Excel (or the next time you create a new workbook from within Excel), it will only include the number of worksheets you specified in step 3.
There is a different, lesser-known method you could use for specifying how many worksheets you want in a new workbook—you could create your own workbook template that has the desired number of worksheets. You could also apply any "default formatting" you want to the workbook and the worksheets. When you then create a workbook based on the template, it will be created using the template as a pattern for the new workbook.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (958) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365.
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!
Freezing the top rows in a worksheet so that they are always visible is easy to do. Freezing the bottom rows is not so ...
Discover MoreNeed to create a large number of worksheets using specific names? If so, you'll love the ideas presented in this tip.
Discover MoreDo you need your macro to select all the visible worksheets (and just the visible ones)? It's not as easy as it sounds, ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments