Hello Pack,
Thank you for posting question on Microsoft Windows Forum!
Based on the issue description. Well! The plausible explanation to the reason of why it does not work is that the administrative templates for Office (ADMX) can set a default RMS template or enforce specific settings within the app, but they generally do not force automatic protection on a blank, unsaved new file that has not been saved to a protected location. The "forced automatic protection" workflow is designed around file classification infrastructure, not client-side GPOs.
To automatically restrict access to new Excel files with AD RMS on Windows Server 2012, you might need to combine Information Rights Management (IRM) with File Classification Infrastructure (FCI) and Dynamic Access Control. Simply installing ADMX templates will not enforce restrictions by default.
Please consult the following articles which purportedly address your concerns.
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/solution-guides/deploy-encryption-of-office-files--demonstration-steps-?
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/restrict-access-to-workbooks-with-information-rights-management-in-excel-3525d8fd-4313-4645-b60e-5ec0e1b9c317
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/solution-guides/dynamic-access-control--scenario-overview
Hope the above information is helpful! If it is. Free feel to hit "Accepted" for benefitting others in community having the same issue too.