Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Opening a Workbook to a Specific Worksheet.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 1, 2025)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Marcus wonders if it is possible to somehow configure a workbook so that it opens on the same worksheet tab each time it is opened, rather than on the worksheet tab that was displayed when the workbook was last saved. The short answer is that you can do this—provided you use a macro. (There is no way to do it without a macro.)
The best approach is to use the Workbook_Open event handler that is automatically triggered whenever the workbook is opened:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
Sub Workbook_Open()
Sheets("OpenToThisSheet").Activate
End Sub
All you need to do is replace OpenToThisSheet with the name of the worksheet you want displayed when the workbook opens. The event handler should be added as part of the ThisWorkbook module.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11706) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Opening a Workbook to a Specific Worksheet.
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!
Wouldn't it be nice to have a single command that would save each of your open workbooks, all at once? It's easy to do ...
Discover MoreIt is a difficult task, in Excel, to determine if a workbook is the target of any external links. This tip examines some ...
Discover MoreWant to limit who can use your workbook and on what system? Locking down a workbook can be trickier than you might imagine.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2021-10-31 14:36:34
Alec W
Is there any way that this can be achieved with workbooks saved in SharePoint?
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