XLT Templete

[Guest]

I have saved an xl file as .xlt extention. When I open up the file it is not
in templete mode. I am about to save over the templete.

Can you tell me what I am missing

Regards,

Stewart Rogers

 

[doco]

What do you mean by "save over"? After creation and saving a template as
*.xlt and re-opening it, then saving the file again, the default process is
for the CommonDialog to appear and prompt to save as *.xls unless you make a
file type selection different from that and at that time. It will not
overwrite your original *.xlt file.

HTH
doco

 

[Guest]

Doco ... thanks for the info ... I understand the process. But that is now
what is happening.

When I open the file names pform.xlt I expect the file to say at the top
"pform1" but instead it says pform.xlt. Thus Excel is not recognizing the
file as a template.

Below is the name of the file copied from the VB immediate window:

?activeworkbook.Name
PFORM.xlt


Any more thoughts?

Stewart Rogers

 

[RagDyer]

I believe that Excel 5.0 was the last version of XL, where the .xlt
extension *automatically* created a template.

From then on, at least from XL97 on (not sure of 95), *WHERE* the WB is
saved determines whether or not it's a *true* XL template.

When you went to save your WB, if you expanded the "files of type" box, and
chose "Template (.xlt)", XL automatically directed the WB to be saved in the
Windows Template folder, AND, incidentally appended the .xlt extension.
I say incidentally because, even an .xls WB, saved in the Template folder,
becomes a "true" XL template, where a *copy* is able to be accessed in the
<File> <New> folder, preserving the original from modification.

There are, of course, many other procedures for creating and saving "true"
XL templates, besides just placing them in the Templates folder.

SO ... the pertinent question is ... WHERE is your WB saved, and HOW did you
save it?
--

HTH,

RD
==============================================
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
==============================================



I have saved an xl file as .xlt extention. When I open up the file it is
not
in templete mode. I am about to save over the templete.

Can you tell me what I am missing

Regards,

Stewart Rogers

 

[Peo Sjoblom]

When you open a template you shouldn't open the template file itself
directly, do file>new and you get a box with templates, if you open it from
there it will open a copy

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

 

[Guest]

RD,

Thanks for your reply. I am saving in a c drive path that is not part of
the MS programs path. Example .. C:\temp

I am also selecting the Templete as the "save file type"

So it looks like the question is ... does a .xlt mean it is a templete or
not ... no matter where the file is saved?

Regards,

Stewart

 

[GregR]

If the file is saved as a template with XLT extention, it is a template no
matter where it is saved.

Greg

 

[Dave Peterson]

I think it's more of a "how you're opening the template" that's the problem.

If you do a file|open on that *.xlt file, excel will think you really want to
modify the template.

But if you store the *.xlt in your Templates folder (or even put a shortcut to
the real template workbook), then you can use File|new and get a new workbook
based on that template.

Another option is to not use Excel.

Use windows explorer to get to the folder that holds the *.xlt file. Then
double click on it. Windows/Excel should be smart enough to create a new
workbook based on that template. (If you still open the real template, it's a
windows tweak to fix it.)

Or....

You can also just rightclick on any excel file (xlt or xls) and choose New
(instead of Open) to create a new workbook based on that existing file.

And until you get your solution working, use windows explorer and mark your
*.xlt file as readonly. That'll stop people (including you) from saving over
the file.

====
I usually don't create templates. I just save them as .xls and mark them
readonly. Seems to serve the same purpose for me.

(But I keep a backup--just in case someone gets fancy and fiddles with my
readonly attributes.)

 

[RagDyer]

It really depends on your definition of a template.

The context of this thread is pertaining to an Excel Template, where a
*copy* is *automatically* opened, and the original is *not*.

If you wish, you can call any .xls or .xlt file a template, where you open
it, add data, and then "Save As" to a new name, preserving the original in
that "round about" way.

That is *not* an Excel designated template.
--


Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
-------------------------------------------------------------------


If the file is saved as a template with XLT extention, it is a template no
matter where it is saved.

Greg

 

[Dave Peterson]

I understand that technically the fileformat is marked Template vs Workbook, but
if I save a workbook as .xls (normal workbook), and then rename it to .xlt (not
saving it that way), it sure behaves like a template to me.

If I put it in my templates folder, I can use file|new ok.

If I double click on it in windows explorer, I get a workbook based on that
"workbook/template".

I don't see a significant difference between these animals.

 

[RagDyer]

I believe the main point has been addressed by Dave; how are you opening the
file?

Then, how do you *want* to open the file "copy" to use?

The <File> <New> folder is usually the easiest way, but that's your choice.
It then must be saved, or linked (shortcut) to the templates folder, or the
folder it's in must be designated as an "auxillary" templates folder using
Word or an XL "alternate start up" folder.

There are many ways to "skin" this cat.

Which way do you want to go?
--


Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
-------------------------------------------------------------------





RD,

Thanks for your reply. I am saving in a c drive path that is not part of
the MS programs path. Example .. C:\temp

I am also selecting the Templete as the "save file type"

So it looks like the question is ... does a .xlt mean it is a templete or
not ... no matter where the file is saved?

Regards,

Stewart

 

[RagDyer]

You can put .xls files in the template folder, and they'll be accessable in
the <File> <New> folder also. So, no need to make .xlt extensions if you
wish to open copies from the <Files> <New> folder.

So maybe we're at a semantics discussion here.

You probably mentioned indirectly the main topic.

How do you open, or, how do you *wish* to open copies of the template for
use.
--


Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I understand that technically the fileformat is marked Template vs Workbook,
but
if I save a workbook as .xls (normal workbook), and then rename it to .xlt
(not
saving it that way), it sure behaves like a template to me.

If I put it in my templates folder, I can use file|new ok.

If I double click on it in windows explorer, I get a workbook based on that
"workbook/template".

I don't see a significant difference between these animals.