Create and open Excel workbooks

Before you start working with Microsoft Excel, you must create a new document or open an existing one. You can create a blank book or use a pre-made template. In addition, as part of this lesson, we will look at how to pin files and folders in the Backstage view for quick access to them.

Microsoft Excel files are named books. When starting a new project in Excel, you must create a new workbook. There are several ways to get started with an Excel 2013 document: create a new blank workbook, use an existing template, or open a previously saved document.

Create a new blank workbook

1. Select a tab File. Backstage view opens.
2. Выберите Createthen press blank book.
3. A new blank workbook will open.

Opening an existing Excel workbook

In addition to creating a new book, there is a need to open previously saved documents. For more information, refer to the Saving and AutoRecovering Workbooks in Excel lesson.

1. Switch to the Backstage view, tab Open.
2. Выберите Компьютер, and then Review. You can also open files stored on OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive).
3. A dialog box will appear Opening a document. Find and select the desired file, then click Open.

If you opened this document recently, it will be more convenient to find it in the list Latest booksthan to search on a computer.

Pinning a workbook in Excel

If you often work with the same document, it will be more convenient to pin it in the Backstage view.

1. Go to Backstage view, then click Open. The most recently opened books will appear.
2. Hover your mouse pointer over the book you want to pin. A pushpin icon will appear next to it. Click on the icon.
3. The book will be fixed. To unpin, click the push pin icon again.

Similarly, you can also pin folders in Backstage view for quick access. To do this, while in the Backstage view, go to the tab Open and then Компьютер. Find the folder you want to pin and click the pushpin icon.

Using Templates in Excel

A template is a pre-created document that is used to speed up work. Templates contain pre-made settings such as formatting and design to save time and effort when creating a new project.

How to create a new book based on a template

1. Click the Fileto navigate to Backstage view.
2. Press Create. Following the option blank book there are several templates.
3. Select a template to view it.
4. A preview and additional information about using the template opens.
5. Press Createto use the selected template.
6. A new workbook based on the template opens.

You can select a pattern by category or use the search bar to find a rarer pattern.

Not all templates are created by Microsoft. Many are created by third parties and even private users, so some templates may work better and some worse than others.