Excel spreadsheets require a lot of time to create from scratch. If the formulas are complex, you may have to spend an entire day formatting the spreadsheet. So, even after hours of effort, the final output is delayed.
By using a predesigned Excel template, you avoid unnecessary work. The templates are primarily editable, so you can customize them according to your needs. They are preformatted and come with predefined formulas for specific calculation types, so you can focus more on the actual work.
You can download free Excel templates from numerous websites.
What Are the Benefits of Using an Excel Template?
Consider a situation where you are asked to create a budget planner for a firm. Creating it from scratch requires integrating formulas, formatting the sheet, and making it look professional. It can take a lot of time to complete these tasks, and you can also make mistakes when entering formulas into the spreadsheet.
Alternatively, you can download a budget template with the same formulas you need. By making a few changes to the template, you can have the budget planner ready in no time.
Download Excel Templates Free From These Sites
Most of the websites listed below allow you to download and use Excel templates without registering or logging in.
1. Excel Templates Gallery
Excel itself should be your first stop when looking for a template in any category. Here is how to access them.
- Open Excel.
- Go to the File menu in the top left corner.
- Click on New.
You will find ready-to-use templates related to business, charts, planners and trackers, lists, budgets, and financial management in the Excel resource library. No matter what profession you are in, you’ll find a template to suit you.
There is also an option to search by specific keywords in the top search bar. If you search “Income,” you’ll see a whole list of templates related to that keyword.
On the left-hand side, you will also see different categories in which a template may fall. You can access similar templates in the same category this way.
How to Open a Template in Excel
You can choose any template (you’ll see a short description and a preview of it). From there, click on Create.
Downloading may take a few seconds, depending on the size of the template.
Excel will open this template as a new spreadsheet after downloading.
You can change the text, modify formulas, and use all the Excel features to customize it.
2. Microsoft Templates
The Microsoft Office Resource Library has the second-best collection of templates. It contains a good list of templates for charts, reports, and trackers, just like Excel’s resource library.
At the top of the page, you’ll find a search box where you can search directly for a particular type of template. When you use the search option, you will only see relevant templates based on your searched keywords, which makes it easier for you to decide.
You can also quickly look at different templates in the browse by category option on the right side.
You’ll also find some premium templates that you can access only by subscribing to Microsoft 365.
There is a long list of template categories that are not available in the free versions. For full benefits, subscribe to Microsoft 365.
How to Download a Template From the Microsoft Office Library
1. Select any template.
2. Click on download.
If you select Open in browser, you can also start using it directly in the office online without having to download it first.
3. Open the downloaded Excel file to start using it.
When downloading files, always rename them and save them in a proper folder so you won’t lose them.
3. Spreadsheet123.com
Spreadsheet123 has a large collection of Excel templates, and they are constantly updating them. This website’s templates are well designed and professionally built. You can browse the templates by category, as you would with any website.
1. Visit Spreadsheet123’s website.
2. Select the Excel Templates menu.
3. Select any category from the list.
4. You can scroll down to see a list of templates for each category, along with a brief description of its scope.
5. Click on any template.
From this page, you can download the sheet in various formats. There are details about its requirements, version, author, and any license agreements. For example, you’d like it to work with Excel 2007+.
6. Click on the dark green download box.
7. As a final confirmation, click on download again.
4. Vertex42 Website
Vertex42 provides a wide range of templates, including budgets, invoices, project management, timesheets, business, and many others.
Vertex42 has an interface similar to Spreadsheet123, and the process of downloading an Excel template is also the same.
- Browse through the categories to find a template.
- Download files to use in Excel 2007 or Google Sheets by scrolling down.
In case you are not sure whether it will be helpful, you can watch a video showing how the template works. Other websites do not provide this flexibility. But, there may not be a video preview available for all templates.
5. Template.Net
In terms of template count, Template.net surpasses both spreadsheet123 and vertex42.
1. Visit the official Template.net website.
2. Hover over the file formats sub-menu at the top.
3. Click on Microsoft Excel.
4. To see all categories, click on See-All.
5. Go to any category, let’s say Estimate templates.
There are several sub-categories of estimate templates to choose from here. Scroll down to see the full list of templates.
Additionally, Template.net offers chat support to help you find a template.
Here is how to download the template:
- Choose any template with Free Label.
- Click on download now.
- It will be downloaded to your PC. To preview the template, open Excel.
On this website, you can choose between the PRO and Business packages to download and use premium templates.
Create More Professional Excel Sheets With Templates
It is likely that one of the five template resources on the list will fit your needs. If you do not find a relevant one on one of them, you may try another website.
With these free spreadsheet templates, you will not only save time by avoiding having to build spreadsheets from scratch, but also create more professional-looking spreadsheets.
