Details

This policy setting controls the default file format for saving workbooks in Excel. The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled. By default, when users create new workbook files, Excel saves them in the new Excel format. Users can change this functionality by clicking the Office button, clicking Excel Options, and then selecting a file format from the Default file format list. Disabling this setting allows users to choose from any of the available default file formats. If a new workbook is created in an earlier format, some users may not be unable to open or use the file, or they may choose a format that is less secure than the Excel format.

Solution

To implement the recommended configuration state, set the following Group Policy setting to Enabled. User ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesMicrosoft Excel 2016Excel OptionsSaveDefault File Format Impact: Enabling this setting does not prevent users from choosing a different file format for a new Excel file, and therefore, it is unlikely to affect usability for most users.

Supportive Information

The following resource is also helpful.

• https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/569

This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Configuration Management.This control applies to the following type of system Windows.

References

• 800-53|CM-6b.

Source

• Tenable.com/audits