I’ve always loved working with Excel, but sometimes it can be a real challenge. Issues like slow performance, annoying add-ins, and weird formatting can really get in the way. Luckily, you can easily reset Excel to its default settings. This guide will show you how to do it, so you can get back to working efficiently. (How to Change Excel Settings to Default)
Key Takeaways
- Discover how to access and navigate the Excel Options menu to reset default settings.
- Learn methods for restoring file formats, data types, and calculation options to their original state.
- Explore techniques for reverting formatting, language, and advanced settings to the Excel default configuration.
- Understand the importance of saving your changes and testing the new default settings for optimal performance.
- Leverage the Windows registry, PowerShell, and Office suite reinstallation to efficiently reset Excel.
Understanding Default Settings in Excel
Default settings in Excel are the original settings made by Microsoft. They control many parts of Excel, like file formats and chart styles. Knowing about these settings helps users make the most of Excel and change back to the original settings if needed.
What Are Default Settings?
Excel’s default settings are what the software starts with when first installed or opened. These include the file format, number of worksheets, and default font. They also affect how Excel features work.
Why Reset to Default?
There are many reasons to reset Excel to its default settings. Some reasons include:
- Fixing performance issues or corrupted files from bad add-ins
- Removing changes that mess up the Excel interface
- Starting a new project with a clean, optimized Excel
- Fixing problems with Excel features or settings
Resetting to the default excel preferences makes sure Excel works right. It helps with efficiency and reliability, especially for those who have made many changes.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Reputation points | 0 |
| Reputation points | 27,651 |
| Helpful votes | 1 |
| Votes | 0 |
| Default worksheets in new workbook | 1 (3 in Excel 2013 and earlier) |
Understanding excel factory settings helps users decide when to revert excel customizations. This ensures Excel works its best for them.
Accessing Excel Options Menu
To change default settings in Excel, you need to go to the Excel Options menu. This menu lets you customize many settings. You can undo changes and go back to the original setup if you want.
Navigating to the File Tab
First, open Excel and click on the File tab at the top-left corner. This opens a menu on the left side with several options.
Finding Excel Options
- Scroll down the left-hand menu until you see the Options button at the bottom.
- Click on the Options button to open the Excel Options dialog box.
- This is where you can change many settings. You can undo Excel modifications and restore the original setup here.
The Excel Options menu is key for customizing your Excel experience. It lets you change default settings to fit your needs. By using this menu, you can adjust how Excel works, from file formats to display settings.
Resetting General Excel Options
Excel’s default settings are great for most users. But sometimes, you might need to change them to fit your needs better. The Excel Options menu lets you reset these settings. This includes changing the default file format and data types, so your workbooks start off right.
Default File Format
By default, Excel saves files in the .xlsx format. This is the standard for modern Excel workbooks. But, you might want to use a different file type, like the older .xls format or the cross-platform .csv format. To change the default file format, go to the Save tab in the Excel Options menu. Then, pick your preferred option from the Save files in this format dropdown.
Setting Default Data Types
When you start a new spreadsheet, Excel automatically picks data types for the cells. These can be Number, Text, or Date. If you always change these settings, you can set your default data types in the Advanced tab of the Excel Options menu. This way, your excel initial state matches your usual workflow, saving you time and reducing mistakes.
Resetting these general excel standard settings lets you tailor Excel to your needs. This makes your data analysis and reporting more efficient and effective.
Changing Display Settings
Customizing your Excel interface can boost your productivity. You can choose from a simple layout to a feature-rich one. Let’s look at how to adjust the Ribbon and the Quick Access Toolbar for a personalized Excel experience.
Adjusting the Ribbon
The Ribbon is Excel’s main menu, offering many commands. You can hide tabs or commands you don’t use. Or, you can show more tabs for specialized tools.
- To change the Ribbon, go to the File tab and select Options.
- In the Excel Options window, go to the Customize Ribbon tab.
- Here, you can pick or uncheck tabs and commands to show or hide them.
- Click OK to apply your new Ribbon settings.
Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar
The Quick Access Toolbar is above the Ribbon. It gives quick access to your favorite commands. You can add, remove, or rearrange buttons to make your workflow smoother.
- To add a button, find the command in the Ribbon, right-click, and choose Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
- To remove a button, right-click on it in the Quick Access Toolbar and choose Remove from Quick Access Toolbar.
- Click the Customize Quick Access Toolbar button (the small downward-facing arrow) to add or remove commands.
- To reset the Quick Access Toolbar, click the Customize Quick Access Toolbar button and select Reset Quick Access Toolbar.
By changing Excel settings to default or resetting Excel settings, you can go back to the original settings. This ensures a consistent and familiar interface for your Excel work.
Resetting Formulas and Functions
If you’re a Microsoft Excel pro, you might need to reset your settings sometimes. This could be because Excel is slow, you have too many add-ins, or you want to go back to an earlier version. Resetting Excel means making sure your formulas and functions are back to normal.
Default Calculation Options
Excel lets you choose how it calculates formulas. You can pick automatic or manual mode. It also has options for handling circular references in formulas. Resetting these settings helps your spreadsheets work right.
Resetting Named Ranges
Resetting named ranges is key in Excel. Named ranges make it easier to use cells in formulas. But, too many or issues with them might need a reset. This fixes problems with custom names in your spreadsheets.
| Excel Version | Registry Key for Resetting Settings |
|---|---|
| Excel 2007 | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Excel |
| Excel 2010 | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Excel |
| Excel 2013 | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Excel |
| Excel 2016, 2019 & Office 365 | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel |
Knowing how to reset formulas and functions in Excel is crucial. It lets you restore excel default configuration and make sure your spreadsheets work well. You can set up default excel preferences that fit your needs.
Managing Add-ins in Excel
Excel add-ins can greatly affect how well the software works. Knowing how to manage these add-ins helps keep your Excel experience smooth. We’ll look at how to disable and re-enable add-ins to improve your Excel setup.
Disabling Add-ins
If an add-in is slowing down Excel, you can turn it off. Go to the Excel Options menu, find the Add-ins category, and uncheck the box next to the add-in. This stops the add-in from loading when you open Excel, getting you back to the excel factory settings.
Re-enabling Add-ins
After fixing issues and reverting excel customizations, you can turn add-ins back on. Just go back to the Add-ins category in the Excel Options menu and check the box next to the add-in you want to use. This will bring back the add-in’s features when you start Excel again.
Handling add-ins is key to a great Excel setup. By learning to disable and re-enable them, you keep your spreadsheet software running smoothly. This way, you avoid any problems or extra hassle.
Reverting Formatting Options
In Excel, you can change many formatting options to fit your needs. Sometimes, you might want to go back to the default settings. This could be to undo changes or to get back to how things were originally. We’ll show you how to reset font and cell formatting defaults in your Excel spreadsheets.
Default Font Settings
The default font settings in Excel are key for how your spreadsheets look and read. To change them back to the original, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the “File” tab in the Excel ribbon and click on “Options”.
- In the Excel Options window, select the “Font” tab.
- Under the “Font” section, pick the default font type, size, and color you want for your workbook.
- Click “OK” to save the changes and apply the new default font settings.
Cell Formatting Defaults
You can also reset cell formatting defaults in Excel. This includes number formats, alignment, and cell styles. To do so:
- Navigate to the “File” tab and click on “Options”.
- In the Excel Options window, select the “Proofing” tab.
- Under the “AutoCorrect Options” section, click on the “AutoFormat As You Type” tab.
- Here, you can customize the default settings for number formats, alignment, and cell styles.
- Once you’ve made the desired changes, click “OK” to save and apply the new cell formatting defaults.
Resetting formatting options in Excel gives you a clean start for your spreadsheet designs. It’s useful for undoing changes or getting back to the original setup. This control helps keep your Excel workbooks looking consistent and professional.
| Feature | Default Setting | Customized Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Font Type | Calibri | Arial |
| Font Size | 11 | 12 |
| Font Color | Automatic | Blue |
| Number Format | General | Currency |
| Alignment | General | Center |
| Cell Style | Normal | Heading 1 |
Configuring Language and Proofing Settings
Adjusting language and proofing settings in Excel can make creating documents easier. By setting the default language and customizing AutoCorrect options, your spreadsheets will follow your writing style and conventions.
Setting Default Language
In Excel, you can set display and authoring languages separately through Office settings. You can choose your preferred authoring language, which will be at the top of the list. The languages available depend on your Office version and any extra language packs or interface packs.
To change language settings, go to the File tab, then Options, and select Language. Here, you can add or change display and authoring languages to meet your needs.
Customizing AutoCorrect Options
Excel’s AutoCorrect feature fixes common spelling and grammar errors automatically. But, you might want to tweak these settings to match your style or fix issues with the excel initial state or excel standard settings.
- To get to AutoCorrect options, go to the File tab, then Options, and choose Proofing.
- In the AutoCorrect Options window, you can edit or add new entries to fit your needs.
- To go back to the excel initial state or excel standard settings, click the “Reset AutoCorrect entries” button.
By adjusting language and proofing settings in Excel, your spreadsheets will follow your writing style. This improves the quality and consistency of your work.
Restoring Chart Settings
Excel users can easily reset their chart settings to default. Just go to the Excel Options menu. This way, you can restore the default chart types and styles, making your data look consistent.
Default Chart Types
To reset the default chart types in Excel, follow these steps:
- Go to the “File” tab and click on “Options”.
- In the Excel Options window, navigate to the “Chart” category.
- Under the “Default chart type” section, select the chart type you want to set as the new default.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes and close the Excel Options window.
This method lets you choose a new default chart type. It ensures your charts look the same in all your spreadsheets.
Formatting Default Styles
You can also restore your charts’ formatting to default. Here’s how:
- Open the Excel Options window by navigating to the “File” tab and clicking “Options”.
- In the Excel Options window, select the “Chart” category.
- Under the “Default chart formatting” section, click the “Reset” button.
- Confirm the action to restore the default chart formatting settings.
This will reset your chart formatting to its original settings. It’s great for undoing customizations and keeping your charts looking clean and consistent.
Learning to restore chart settings in Excel helps you present your data professionally. It makes it easier for others to understand your insights.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Macro Aim | Adjust size and features of charts in Excel programmatically |
| Macro Functionality | Set all charts on the active sheet to the same size as the active chart |
| Macro Approach | Measure plot area of each chart and adjust size parameters (height, width, left, top) to standardize |
| Key Benefits | Automate chart sizing process, enhance visual consistency in Excel presentations |
| User Impact | Streamlined chart customization, no manual intervention required |
Resetting Advanced Excel Settings
Customizing your Excel experience is more than just tweaking general settings. Excel has advanced settings for fine-tuning to your needs. You can reset these settings to restore Excel to its default and improve your workflow.
Adjusting Excel Options Tabs
To reset advanced Excel settings, explore the Options tabs. Here, you find a wide range of options to restore excel default configuration and preferences. Key tabs include:
- Formulas: Manage calculation settings, named ranges, and formula auditing tools.
- Proofing: Customize AutoCorrect options, language preferences, and spell-checking parameters.
- Save: Set default file formats, auto-recovery intervals, and other saving preferences.
Resetting Trust Center Settings
The Trust Center is another place to reset default excel preferences. It’s the heart of security and privacy settings, like macro permissions and add-in management. Resetting it ensures Excel starts fresh, without conflicts.
Resetting Excel’s advanced settings is key for troubleshooting or starting anew. It unlocks Excel’s full potential and enhances your data analysis.
Finalizing and Saving Your Changes
After adjusting your Excel settings, it’s key to apply and save them right. This makes sure your new settings are the default. You’ll enjoy a tailored experience every time you use Excel.
How to Apply and Save Changes
In the Excel Options menu, find the settings you changed and click “OK” to apply them. Then, go to the “File” tab and choose “Save” to keep your custom settings as the default.
Testing the New Default Settings
To check if your changes worked, open a new Excel workbook. See if the formatting, functions, and add-ins you changed are there. This confirms your Excel is set up just how you like it.
FAQ
What are the default settings in Microsoft Excel?
Default settings in Microsoft Excel are the original settings set by Microsoft. They cover file formats, data types, display options, and more. This includes formulas, functions, add-ins, and formatting.
Why would I want to reset Excel to its default settings?
Resetting Excel can fix slow performance, corrupted files, and unwanted changes. It lets you start fresh and fix any issues caused by customizations.
How do I access the Excel Options menu to change the default settings?
Open Excel and click on the File tab. Then, go to the Options section at the bottom left. Here, you can change Excel’s default settings.
How do I change the default file format and data types in Excel?
In the Excel Options menu, find the “Save” and “Advanced” tabs. Here, you can pick your file format and set default data types for new spreadsheets.
How do I reset the Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar in Excel?
Go to the “Customize Ribbon” and “Quick Access Toolbar” sections in the Excel Options menu. You can restore the default layout and settings for these elements here.
How do I reset formula and function settings in Excel?
In the Excel Options menu, look for settings on formulas and functions. You can change or reset these settings to your liking.
How do I manage and reset add-ins in Excel?
The “Add-ins” section in the Excel Options menu lets you manage add-ins. You can remove problematic add-ins and reset Excel to its original state.
How do I reset formatting options in Excel?
To reset formatting, go to the “Font” and “Number” sections in the Excel Options menu. Here, you can change font settings, cell formatting, and number formats back to default.
How do I change the default language and proofing settings in Excel?
The Excel Options menu has sections for “Language” and “Proofing”. Here, you can set your default language and customize AutoCorrect options.
How do I restore the default chart settings in Excel?
In the Excel Options menu, find settings for chart types and styles. Adjusting these options will reset your chart preferences to their original state.
How do I reset advanced Excel settings, such as Trust Center settings?
The Excel Options menu has advanced tabs like “Formulas,” “Proofing,” and “Trust Center”. Here, you can reset specialized settings to their original state.
How do I apply and save the new default settings in Excel?
After changing settings, click “OK” to apply them. Then, test the new settings to ensure they work for you and fix any issues.
