I would hide that template sheet to keep it safely out of the way.

Then I'd add instruction worksheet that describes what needs to be done. And
I'd drop a button from the Forms toolbar onto that sheet and assign it this
macro:

Option Explicit
Sub testme01()
Dim TmpWks As Worksheet
Dim NewWks As Worksheet
Dim myStr As String

myStr = Format(Date, "mmmm-yyyy")

Set NewWks = Nothing
On Error Resume Next
Set NewWks = Worksheets(myStr)
On Error GoTo 0

If NewWks Is Nothing Then
'doesn't exist, keep going
Else
MsgBox "That sheet already exists!"
Exit Sub
End If

Set TmpWks = Worksheets("Template")
With TmpWks
.Visible = xlSheetVisible
.Copy _
after:=Worksheets(Worksheets.Count)
Set NewWks = ActiveSheet
.Visible = xlSheetHidden
End With

With NewWks
.Name = myStr
With .Range("a1")
.Value = Date
.NumberFormat = "mmmm-yyyy"
End With
End With

End Sub

If you're new to macros, you may want to read David McRitchie's intro at:
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm

Ann~ wrote:

I keep track of monthly finances with a simple spreadsheet. I keep one sheet
unedited to copy/paste each month into a new sheet (current month-year), then
fill in all the relevant data (dollar amounts/rates/misc fees/etc).

What I would like to have is a button or something that will create a copy
of this original/template, name it (with the current month-year), open it so
it's the currently viewed screen, and have the name of the sheet (current
month-year) in cell A1.

I haven't a clue where to start so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Ann~

--

Dave Peterson