CUSTOMIZE YOUR VIEW IN EXCEL AND SAVE IT

Ever spend time setting up a spreadsheet view exactly the way you want it and then have to redo it again later?  Customize your view in an Excel workbook and it will be available in that workbook for use anytime.

This tip will show you how to use Custom Views to save your frequently used print options, hidden column or filter settings.  We’ll even show you how to add a drop-down list for Custom Views to your Quick Access Toolbar.

SAVE A DEFAULT CUSTOM VIEW:

In order to get back to an unformatted version of your workbook, you should first create a default view following the steps below.

1. On the View tab, click the Custom Views button.
   

The Custom Views dialog opens.

2. Click the Add. . . button.
   

The Add View dialog opens.

3. Enter the name View_All for the View.
4. Use the check boxes to select which settings to include in the view.
5. Click OK.

SAVE A CUSTOM VIEW:

After creating a default custom view, set the spreadsheet options that you wish to save.  This can include print settings, page layout options like headers/footers, hiding rows or columns, or filtering – any number of options.  After setting the options within the spreadsheet, follow the steps above to create a custom view of your workbook.  Enter a name that will quickly identify the settings being applied.

SHOW A CUSTOM VIEW

1. On the View tab, click the Custom Views button.
   

The Custom Views dialog opens.

2. Select the view you want to see.
3. Click the Show button.

ADD CUSTOM VIEWS TO THE QAT

If you’re going to use Custom Views frequently, as a timesaver, you may wish to add them as a drop-down menu on your Quick Access Toolbar.

1. Click the drop-down arrow at the end of the Quick Access Toolbar and select More Commands. . .

Your Quick Access Toolbar is located either directly above or below the ribbon.

2. From the Choose commands from:drop-down menu, select Commands Not in the Ribbon.

3. From the list of commands, highlight Custom Views.
   
4. Click the Addbutton.
5. Click the OKbutton.

The Custom Views drop-down list is added to your Quick Access Toolbar.