Can't configure excel to open customized default sheet
 

I'd like excel to open one of my pre-formatted excel sheets upon
startup.

I've tried

1. saving the template sheet in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office
\Office11 directory

2. saving the template sheet in the C:\Documents and Settings\username
\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel directory

3. Modifying the At Startup, open all files in box field in the
General Tab under Options in the Tools menu.

Still, can't get my customized sheet to open when excel opens.

What am I missing??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.