Settings in Excel 2003
How to manage Add-ins
Some function in Excel is available only when the add-in is installed. For example, Solver or the
Analysis group is not available in standard ribbons, you need to install the add-in before you can
use it. See also Using Solver.
Opening workbooks automatically
If you work with the same workbooks every day it will be helpful to open specific workbook files
automatically whenever you start Excel. Any workbooks placed in the XLStart folder open
automatically.
How to hide/display comment indicators
When a comment has been inserted in a cell, the little red triangle is being displayed to indicate a comment
in a cell. This tip is how to hide/display this indicator.
Entering decimal points automatically
If you need to enter lots of numbers with a fixed number of decimal places, Excel has a useful tool:
Changing moving direction of the cell pointer after entering data
Excel automatically moves the cell pointer to the next cell down when you press the Enter key after
entering data into a cell, but you can change this behaviour to move it up, down, left, right and even stay
on.
Change the number of the most recently used workbooks
Having your 4 most recently used workbooks on the File menu (or Getting Started pane)
is handy, but you may find it's not enough. You can increase the number shown up to 9.
How to change the default colors that Excel uses for chart series
Every workbook uses a palette of 56 colors, but you can change palette for the current workbook or even
change the default colors for new workbooks.
How to change default font
This setting enables you to select a different font and font size for your worksheets.
Creating Your Own Menu
Creating custom menus in Excel is a fun feature you can use to create a list of the options you use most
often, and then plug them into a menu you name and use yourself.
Starting Excel without an Empty Workbook
If you prefer to avoid the empty workbook to be created when Excel starts up, you can do so by editing the
command line that is used to start Excel.