File extension for excel files

Excel file extensions are there to identify the file format. For example, in computer operating systems, file extensions are to identify the file type for the operating system so that it runs and opens the file with the specified format.

If you observe at the end of the file name, you will see the extension of that file.

The above image, includes XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, XLS, and XLAM.

I am sure you know about Excel but not about their formats. If you have no idea about Excel file extensions, this is a tailor-made article. In a general case scenario, you must have seen the xlsx file format in Excel. When you try to save the unsaved workbook Excel automatically saves it as an “xlsx” file.

Note: When we save the existing file with a different Excel file format (extension), some of the features of the current file might not be transferred to the new file extension.

Where to Find File Extensions in Excel?

You must be thinking about where these file formats are. These file formats are available when we see the save dialog box. Under the “Save as type,” we can see many of the accessible file formats in the computer system.

If you look at the above image, the first extension the operating system recognizes is Excel Workbook (*.xlsx) format, and all the other remaining forms follow after.

Top 5 Excel file Formats

Below are some of the top file formats for Excel. You may follow this article to explore some of them.

#1 – XLSX

The default Excel format is “XLSX.” However, when we press the “Save As” option, Excel, by default, recognizes this extension. It is the replacement of the earlier extension called XLS. It is the most popular Excel file extension for non-macro files.

Below is the image which shows how the file is saved under this method.

#2 – XLSM

This Excel file format is used for a VBA Macro file. If we are working with macro in Excel, we need to change the Excel extension to enable the smooth flow of macro running. It is the default extension type for a macro containing a workbook.

XLSX does not support the macro code. Therefore, we need to save the workbook as a macro-enabled workbook to run the macros.

While saving the workbook, we need to select the file type as “Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook.”

#3 – XLSB

Often in Excel, we face the issue of too much data, and the Excel file slows down. In addition, if Excel is saved in the form of “XLSX” or “XLSM” Excel, the workbook tends to slow down.

“XLSB” means “Excel Binary Workbook.” If we save the workbook as a binary workbook, it will reduce the weight of the workbook.

Look at the below image, an Excel workbook saved in the form of “XLSX,” and the total workbook weight is 63.4 KB.

Now, we will save this file as “Excel Binary Workbook.”

Now, look at the size of the workbook.

So, Excel binary workbook reduces the workbook size to 59.4 KB. In the case of a large file, it reduces the size of the workbook by 50%.

#4 – XLS

Probably, we may not see this kind of Excel file format these days. However, this file is saved for the binary workbook of Excel 97 to Excel 2003 binary format.

#5 – XLAM

It is the Excel Add-in. Excel Add-insAn add-in is an extension that adds more features and options to the existing Microsoft Excel.read more are extra features we add to the Excel workbook. Excel has many built-in features. On top of these available features, we can create some macros and make Excel talk according to our wishes.

Once the macro is created, we need to save the file as “Excel Add-ins.” Once the workbook is saved as “Add-in,” click on Developer TabEnabling the developer tab in excel can help the user perform various functions for VBA, Macros and Add-ins like importing and exporting XML, designing forms, etc. This tab is disabled by default on excel; thus, the user needs to enable it first from the options menu.read more >Excel Add-ins and select the additional feature created by a User Defined Function (UDF).

Other Additional Excel File Formats

We have seen the top five file formats. On top of these, there are many other additional extensions available.

1. XLC: Excel Chart Type
2. XLT: Excel Template
3. XLD: Excel DataBase
4. XLK: Excel Back up

Things to Remember

• For macros, we need to select the “XLSM” type extension.
• We cannot use the workbook of the Excel “Add-in” extension, but we can use that as an add-in in other workbooks.
• If the Excel is saved as “CSV,” it will not be an Excel workbook. It is to store the data, but it is not very easy to work on it. It will reduce the size of the workbook.
• “Excel Binary Workbook” can reduce the workbook size by 50%.

Recommended Articles

This article is a guide to Excel Extensions. We discussed the top file formats, including XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, XLS, and XLAM, their key features, and applications. You may also look at these useful Excel tools below: –

• Equations in Excel ExamplesIn Excel, equations are the formulas we type into cells. We begin by writing an equation with an equals to symbol (=), which Excel knows as calculate.read more
• AutoFill in ExcelAutoFill in excel can fill a range in a specific direction by using the fill handle.read more
• Excel vs. Google SheetsIn Google Sheets, we may share a link with other users to permit them to read or edit the sheet at the same time, however in Excel, only one person can edit the file at a time.read more
• How to use Array Formulas in Excel?Array formulas are extremely helpful and powerful formulas that are used in Excel to execute some of the most complex calculations. There are two types of array formulas: one that returns a single result and the other that returns multiple results.read more
• LINEST Excel FunctionThe built-in LINEST Function in Excel calculates statistics for a line by the least-squares regression method & returns an array that defines the line proving to be well-suited for the given data. read more

Extension File (Table of Contents)

• Extensions of Excel
• How to Change the Excel file format or Extension?
• How do you know the file type of saved file?

Extensions of Excel

Excel is one the tool which has a variety of extension in which we can save the file. A commonly used extension in Excel is .xlsx, which is used for storing a simple type of data. XLS is another type of default extension which was used until MS Office 2007. For storing a VBA code, we have XLSM. This is purely made for macros. Another extension, CSV (Comma Separated Values), delimits the data, which is separated by commas. XLSB extension is used for compression, saving, opening etc.

For example, the filename “XYZ.doc” has an extension of “.doc, ” a file extension associated with the document file.

Excel file extensions can be of various types. Here we will cover the most common file type:

• XLS – Excel file extension

This extension is the most common and default type in the spreadsheet generated by Microsoft office. Prior to Excel 2007, the file extension was XLS. This extension refers to a file which contains all type of information including data, formats, graphics etc. The operating system recognizes the file type with the help of an extension and operates this file using the Excel application.

The XLS is the default file type for Excel version 2.0 to Excel 2003.

• XLSX – Excel file extension

This extension is used by the spreadsheet files generated with the Excel version 2007 onwards. For an Excel file, the current default file extension is XLSX.

XSLX is an XML based file format. With the use of this technology, the file with XSLX format is very less in weight or size, and as compared to the XLS file format, this leads directly to saving space. It requires less time to download or upload excel documents.

Only one disadvantage of this XSLX extension is that this version is incompatible to run the files prior to Excel 2007.

• XLSM – Excel file extension

This extension file type is generated by the spreadsheet with the excel version 2007 onwards, including Excel macros.

With the help of an extension, it’s easy to understand that the file contains a macro. Because of security reasons and for protecting a file with computer viruses, malicious macros, infecting computers, etc., this version comes into existence.

This file extension is very reliable in terms of macros and for security reasons.

• XLSB – Excel file extension

If excel files contain a large amount of data or information, this file extension type fully supports in the compression process, saving, opening, etc.

An excel file that contains a large amount of data takes a lot of time in the opening in processing that file. Sometimes while opening, it gets hanged and frequently crashes.

How to Change the Excel file format or Extension?

For changing the file extension, follow the below steps:

• Open the workbook for which you want to change the format.
• Go to the FILE tab.

• It will open a left pane window. There are a lot of options available in this pane. Refer to the below screenshot.

• Click on Save As option as shown below.

• It will open a dialog box, as shown below.

• Now you need to select where you want to save the file in the system. Refer to the below screenshot.

• I have selected the Desktop for saving this file as a destination.

• Under the File name field, give the file name for the workbook.

• Under Save as type field, we need to choose the file format.
• Click on Save as type filed; it will open a list of formats as shown in the below screenshot.

• Choose the file format and click on the Save button for saving the file.

• It will save the file with the extension.

How do you know the file type of saved file?

For this, follow below steps:

• Select the file for which you want to know the file format.
• Right-click on that file.
• It will open a drop-down list of options.
• Click on the Properties option from the list. Refer to the below screenshot.

• It will open a Properties window.
• Under the Type of file option, you can see the file type or extension of the file. Refer to the below screenshot.

Things to Remember about Excel File Formats

• Any file format doesn’t support all the features of excel like formulas etc.; then it will display an alert message box.
• Then you can change the file format again.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Extensions of Excel. Here we discuss how to Change the Excel file format or Extension along with its practical examples. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

1. Cheat Sheet of Excel Formulas
2. CSV Files into Excel
3. Sort Columns in Excel
4. Data Table in Excel