Change the Default Font & Size

By default, Excel uses Calibri font with 11 pt size (10 pt if you use Excel 2003) for any new workbook you create. Of course, you can change the formatting for each book / sheet whenever you like. But your company uses a particular font in all the reports (other than Calibri) and you want that font as your default font? Read on.

This post is useful if you want to change the default font and size so that each time you create a new workbook, your chosen font is the default.

Excel 2010 and later:

File tab > Options > General > When creating new workbooks segment > select font you like in the Use this font drop down. Select size of the font you want as default in the Font size drop down list.

Excel 2007:

Click the Microsoft Office button > Excel Options > Popular tab > When creating new workbooks segment > select font you like in the Use this font drop down. Select size of the font you want as default in the Font size drop down list.

Excel 2003:

Tools menu > Options > General tab > select a font in the Standard font drop down box. In the Size box, type or click a font size.

Points to remember:

1. You must restart Microsoft Office Excel to begin using the new default font and font size.
2. The new default font and font size are used only in new workbooks that you create after you restart Excel. Existing workbooks are not affected.

Change Default User Name

Excel by default picks up the system login ID as the user name. All the Excel files you create will be stamped with your login name as author. Also, when you insert a comment, every comment by default starts with the user name.

If you don't like the default logic ID to be your Excel user name, you can change it and put any name you fancy. Let's see how to do it.

Excel 2010 and later:

File tab > Options > General > Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office segment > type a name in the User Name.

Excel 2007:

Click the Microsoft Office button > Excel Options > Popular tab > Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office segment > type a name in the User Name.

Excel 2003:

Tools menu > Options > General tab > > type a name in the User Name.

Points to remember:

1. User Name cannot be more than 52 characters. You can have special characters too in the name.
2.  If you keep user name field blank, Excel automatically places the Windows user name.
3. Changing the user name will effect the future workbooks. Files already saved with earlier user name will not be updated.