How to change the number of sheets for new workbooks

Excel 2016 2013 2010 2007 2003
Excel for Microsoft 365 automatically creates one worksheet in each new workbook, but you can force it to create as many spreadsheets as you need.

For example, if you prefer to start each new workbook with two or three spreadsheets. After all, it is easy enough to add new sheets if and when they are needed.

To change the default number of worksheets, do the following:

   1.   On the File tab, click the Options button:

Excel 365 Options

   2.   On the General tab, in the When creating new workbooks group, change the value for the Include this many sheets field:

Number of sheets in Excel 365

   3.   Click OK.

Note: This change will affect all new workbooks but not existing workbooks.

See also this tip in French: Comment modifier le nombre de feuilles pour les nouveaux classeurs.

Please, disable AdBlock and reload the page to continue

Today, 30% of our visitors use Ad-Block to block ads.We understand your pain with ads, but without ads, we won't be able to provide you with free content soon. If you need our content for work or study, please support our efforts and disable AdBlock for our site. As you will see, we have a lot of helpful information to share.

Change the number of the most recently used workbooks

Change the number of the most recently used workbooks

Having your 25 most recently used workbooks on the File tab, in the Open menu is handy, but you may find it's not enough. You can increase the number shown up to 50, and you can pin (fasten) particular workbooks to the menu so that they remain there even if you haven't used them recently.
Working with spreadsheets

Working with spreadsheets

This tip describes shortcut keys that can be useful for adding, deleting, moving, or coping spreadsheets. See also how to change the color for worksheet tabs, making the spreadsheet very hidden.
Protecting workbook elements

Protecting workbook elements

Protecting a workbook is different from protecting the Excel file with a password to prevent reading/writing or locking the spreadsheet elements to prevent editing. Workbook protection forbids other users to add, move, rename or delete worksheets and defends against viewing hidden worksheets or hiding worksheets.