I like to put all my stuff that belongs in the XLStart folder into the folder
that excel "expects"--not any of the previous locations (depending on my upgrade
path).

I open excel
hit alt-f11 to get to the VBE.
hit ctrl-g to see the immediate window
type this
?application.StartupPath

I get this back (winxp and office 2003):
C:\Documents and Settings\(user)\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

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But I never get that taskpane by clicking on the New icon on the Standard
toolbar.

I can get it via File|New...

But there is a different "New" icon you can add to the File dropdown list.

Tools|Customize|Commands tab
File category
You'll see New... and New (one with an ellipses and one without)

Grab the "New" (no dots) and drag it onto the File dropdown. Position it where
you want.

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If you really get the taskpane when you click the New icon on the standard
toolbar, maybe resetting that toolbar would change the bahavior back.

Tools|Customize|toolbars tab
select Standard
click Reset

You will lose any changes you've made to that toolbar, though. But you can
change it back in your leisure time.

RWN wrote:

I have created a "Book (& "Sheet).xlt" that open fine when I start Excel at work.

My problem is that if, during a session, I want to open a new workbook by clicking the
"New" button I get the task pane and have to click the "Blank Workbook" (or words to that
effect-I'm at home on xl2k and have a short memory) option.
It then brings me its version of a blank book vs. my customized one.

I readily admit that I get confused with all the xlstart locations but I cannot find where
it is going to get it's new workbook.

How (can) I set this up?

--
Regards;
Rob
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--

Dave Peterson