This step-by-step article describes how to use Microsoft
Excel startup folders.
Microsoft Excel uses startup folders in two
ways:
- To load Excel files at startup
-and-
- As a reference location for templates
The actual startup folder locations can vary depending on which
version of Excel you are using.
Folders That Excel Uses at Startup
If you install Excel to the default location, Excel opens files
from the paths shown later in this article.
Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98
- C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Xlstart
- C:\Windows\Application
Data\Microsoft\Excel\Xlstart
NOTE: If you have Profiles enabled, the path to the XLStart folder is
instead:
C:\Windows\Profiles\User
name\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\Xlstart - The folder specified in the Alternate startup file
location box on the General tab of the Options dialog box (on the Tools menu, click Options).
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
- C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Xlstart
- C:\Winnt\Profiles\User
name\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\Xlstart
where
User name is your login user name. - The folder specified in the Alternate startup file location box on the General tab of the Options dialog box (on the Tools menu, click Options).
Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP
- C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Xlstart
- C:\Documents and Settings\User
name\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART
where
User name is your login user name. - The folder specified in the Alternate startup file
location box on the General tab of the Options dialog box (on the Tools menu, click Options).
Accepted File Types During Excel Startup
You typically use startup folders to load Excel templates and
add-ins, but you can also use them to load workbooks. When you load these three
types of files from a startup folder, they have the following important
characteristics.
Templates
- Templates (*.xlt) that you place in a startup folder are
not loaded when you start Excel, but you can use the templates by clicking New on the File menu.
- If you save a workbook called Book.xlt and place it in a
startup folder location, that workbook becomes the default workbook when you
start Excel, and when you open any additional new workbooks.
Add-Ins
- Add-Ins (*.xla) that you place in a startup folder do not
typically appear when you start Excel, but are loaded in memory and run any
auto macros.
- You can then use these add-ins by whatever method the
add-in provides (that is, a menu item or toolbar button).
Workbooks
- Workbooks (*.xls) that you place in a startup folder are
loaded and appear when you start Excel, unless the workbook is saved in a
hidden state. For example, the personal macro workbook Personal.xls is a global
macro workbook that Excel typically loads from the XLStart folder in a hidden
state.
Incorrect Use of the Alternate Startup File Location
- When using the alternate startup file location, it is
important to specify a file path in which there are recognizable file types
(such as templates, add-ins, and workbooks).
- If Excel finds unrecognizable file types in a startup
folder, you may receive an error message. The most common error message
is:
This file is not a recognizable format.
How to Use the Default File Location
- In addition to the alternate startup file location, the
Default file location setting is also on the General tab in the Options dialog box. This setting is different from a startup folder; it
sets the folder location that you want Excel to point to when you open or save
a file by using the File menu.