format text box (etc (972b, 2000)

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It’s easy to adjust the default format for text boxes, autoshapes, callouts etc by setting one up the way you want (eg transparent, thin red line) and issuing the ‘make this the default’ command.
However, this only ‘sticks’ for subsequent objects within the same workbook.
How can I make it the global default for all objects for all new workbooks?
(In Word, it’s done by rejigging normal.dot, but if there’s an excel equivalent like ‘normal.xlt’ I’ve yet to find it.)
Thanks!

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There are several Excel files that play the part of Normal.dot:

• Personal.xls contains your personal macros.
• Book.xlt contains standard workbook-level settings. If you have created a template Book.xlt in your XLStart folder, it will be used as model when you create a blank new workbook.
• Sheet.xlt contains standard worksheet-level settings. If you have created a template Sheet.xlt in your XLStart folder, it will be used as model when you insert a new worksheet into a workbook.
• A file with extension .xlb contains your toolbar customizations and custom lists.
  [/list]I would try to create a workbook and set the defaults for text boxes etc. as you like. Don’t leave any of those in the finished workbook, though. Save it as an Excel template Book.xlt in your XLStart folder.

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Thanks very much, Hans, works a treat.
[Loads of scope for April Fool wheezes here – create someone a Book.xlt they don’t know about, containing a blood-red rectangle about 5 screens big. When they crank up excel, they’ll wonder what’s broken? You didn’t see it here first!]

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