Excel mode in which a new spreadsheet closes initially? (9)
I believe the answer is:
transcend
'excel' is the definition.
(transcending is a kind of excelling)
'mode in which a new spreadsheet closes initially?' is the wordplay.
'mode' becomes 'trend' (I've seen this before**).
'in which' indicates putting letters inside.
'initially?' suggests taking the first letters (I've seen 'initially' mean this).
The first letters of 'new spreadsheet closes' is 'nsc'.
'a'+'nsc'='ansc'
'trend' going around 'ansc' is 'TRANSCEND'.
(Other definitions for transcend that I've seen before include "Go beyond, surpass" , "exceed?" , "Surpass (an achievement)" .)