I am grading tests done on EXCEL. Several students' answers look almost
identical to homweork problems which had been posted online. Using such
templates is not allowed on my test. Is there a way to identify the sources
of portions of another EXCEL file that were copied from another file into the
students' test files?

Not if they were actually copied, or copied and modified. Copying formulas,
values or even code doesn't leave tracks.

Your dilemma is just one reason we don't knowingly provide assistance with
what are obviously homework problems.

You might consider giving a little 'pop quiz' every once in a while that
focuses on one or two areas that the main test did, just to check your
student's "retention" factor <g>.
"Mr. G" wrote:

> I am grading tests done on EXCEL. Several students' answers look almost
> identical to homweork problems which had been posted online. Using such
> templates is not allowed on my test. Is there a way to identify the sources
> of portions of another EXCEL file that were copied from another file into the
> students' test files?

If the students actually used entire workbooks (templates) from online, you
might take a look at the file's Properties and see who the author of the file
is. That might tell that someone other than the student originated that
particular file.
Excel 2003 & earlier:
File --> Properties and look on the [Summary] tab.

Excel 2007:
Office Button --> Prepare --> Document Properties


"Mr. G" wrote:

> I am grading tests done on EXCEL. Several students' answers look almost
> identical to homweork problems which had been posted online. Using such
> templates is not allowed on my test. Is there a way to identify the sources
> of portions of another EXCEL file that were copied from another file into the
> students' test files?