Creating a Blank Workbook
A workbook is the file. A worksheet is one page inside it. Blank workbook gives you a fresh file with one empty page.
File and Pages
One Excel file is called a workbook. Inside it are worksheets, like pages in a notebook. A blank workbook starts you with one empty page.
- Blank workbook — Creates the file
- Sheet1 appears — Your first page
- Add more pages — Click the plus sign
How to do it
File ▸ New ▸ Blank workbook or Ctrl + N
Ctrl + N makes a new blank workbook instantly, without going through the File menu.
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Workbook | The whole file you save |
| Worksheet | One page inside the file |
| Sheet1 | The default first page |
| Ctrl + N | Shortcut for a new file |
Workbook vs Worksheet
Ctrl + N ▸ a new workbook named Book1 ▸ containing Sheet1
| Word | What it means | You see it as |
|---|---|---|
| Workbook | The whole file | One .xlsx on your disk |
| Worksheet | One page | One tab at the bottom |
| Book1 | Default file name | Until you save it |
| Sheet1 | Default page name | The first tab |
Result: Ctrl + N
One workbook can hold many worksheets. Saving saves all of them together.
Do this
- Use Ctrl + N when you already have Excel open
- Rename Sheet1 to something meaningful
- Save and name the file early
Avoid
- Calling a worksheet a workbook — they are different things
- Making a new file when a new sheet would do
- Leaving the file named Book1
📌 Ctrl + N skips the Start screen completely and gives you a blank grid straight away.
Practice
- Press Ctrl + N to make a new workbook.
- Add a second worksheet with the plus button.
- Save the file as Practice.xlsx.
Quick quiz: You need a second page for the same project. What do you create?
- A new workbook
- A new worksheet in the same workbook
- A new folder
Show answer
Right-click a sheet tab ▸ Insert or click the + beside the tabs — Related pages belong in one workbook. Separate files mean separate saves.
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