You can save an Excel file in another file format by clicking the File > Save As. The file formats that are available in the Save As dialog box vary, depending on what type of sheet is active (a worksheet, chart sheet, or other type of sheet).
Note: Whenever you save a file in another file format, some of its formatting, data, and features might not be transferred.
To open a file that was created in another file format, either in an earlier version of Excel or in another program, click File > Open. If you open an Excel 97-2003 workbook, it automatically opens in Compatibility Mode. To take advantage of the new features of Excel 2010, you can save the workbook to an Excel 2010 file format. However, you also have the option to continue to work in Compatibility Mode, which retains the original file format for backward compatibility.
Excel file formats
|
Format |
Extension |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Excel Workbook |
.xlsx |
The default XML-based file format for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. Cannot store Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro code or Microsoft Office Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (code) |
.xlsm |
The XML-based and macro-enabled file format for Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, and Excel 2007. Stores VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel Binary Workbook |
.xlsb |
The binary file format (BIFF12) for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. |
|
Template |
.xltx |
The default file format for an Excel template for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. Cannot store VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Template (code) |
.xltm |
The macro-enabled file format for an Excel template Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. Stores VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel 97- Excel 2003 Workbook |
.xls |
The Excel 97 — Excel 2003 Binary file format (BIFF8). |
|
Excel 97- Excel 2003 Template |
.xlt |
The Excel 97 — Excel 2003 Binary file format (BIFF8) for an Excel template. |
|
Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook |
.xls |
The Excel 5.0/95 Binary file format (BIFF5). |
|
XML Spreadsheet 2003 |
.xml |
XML Spreadsheet 2003 file format (XMLSS). |
|
XML Data |
.xml |
XML Data format. |
|
Excel Add-In |
.xlam |
The XML-based and macro-enabled Add-In format for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. An Add-In is a supplemental program that is designed to run additional code. Supports the use of VBA projects and Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel 97-2003 Add-In |
.xla |
The Excel 97-2003 Add-In, a supplemental program that is designed to run additional code. Supports the use of VBA projects. |
|
Excel 4.0 Workbook |
.xlw |
An Excel 4.0 file format that saves only worksheets, chart sheets, and macro sheets. You can open a workbook in this file format in Excel 2010, but you cannot save an Excel file to this file format. |
|
Works 6.0-9.0 spreadsheet |
.xlr |
Spreadsheet saved in Microsoft Works 6.0-9.0. Note: This format is supported in Excel Starter only. |
Text file formats
|
Format |
Extension |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Formatted Text (Space-delimited) |
.prn |
Lotus space-delimited format. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Text (Tab-delimited) |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on another Microsoft Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Text (Macintosh) |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Text (MS-DOS) |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Unicode Text |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as Unicode text, a character encoding standard that was developed by the Unicode Consortium. |
|
CSV (comma delimited) |
.csv |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on another Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
CSV (Macintosh) |
.csv |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
CSV (MS-DOS) |
.csv |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
DIF |
.dif |
Data Interchange Format. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
SYLK |
.slk |
Symbolic Link Format. Saves only the active sheet. |
Note: If you save a workbook in any text format, all formatting is lost.
Other file formats
|
Format |
Extension |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
DBF 3, DBF 4 |
.dbf |
dBase III and IV. You can open these files formats in Excel, but you cannot save an Excel file to dBase format. |
|
OpenDocument Spreadsheet |
.ods |
OpenDocument Spreadsheet. You can save Excel 2010 files so they can be opened in spreadsheet applications that use the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format, such as Google Docs and OpenOffice.org Calc. You can also open spreadsheets in the .ods format in Excel 2010. Formatting might be lost when saving and opening .ods files. |
|
|
|
Portable Document Format (PDF). This file format preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the PDF format file is viewed online or printed, it retains the format that you intended. Data in the file cannot be easily changed. The PDF format is also useful for documents that will be reproduced by using commercial printing methods. Note: This format is not supported in Excel 2007. |
|
XPS Document |
.xps |
XML Paper Specification (XPS). This file format preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the XPS file is viewed online or printed, it retains exactly the format that you intended, and the data in the file cannot be easily changed. Note: This format is not supported in Excel 2007. |
File formats that use the Clipboard
You can paste data from the Microsoft Office Clipboard into Excel by using the Paste or Paste Special command (Home tab, Clipboard group, Paste button) if the Office Clipboard data is in one of the following formats.
|
Format |
Extension |
Clipboard type identifiers |
|---|---|---|
|
Picture |
.wmf or .emf |
Pictures in Windows Metafile Format (WMF) or Windows Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF). Note If you copy a Windows metafile picture from another program, Excel pastes the picture as an enhanced metafile. |
|
Bitmap |
.bmp |
Pictures stored in Bitmap format (BMP). |
|
Microsoft Excel file formats |
.xls |
Binary file formats for Excel versions 5.0/95 (BIFF5), Excel 97-2003 (BIFF8), and Excel 2010 (BIFF12). |
|
SYLK |
.slk |
Symbolic Link Format. |
|
DIF |
.dif |
Data Interchange Format. |
|
Text (tab-delimited) |
.txt |
Tab-separated text format. |
|
CSV (Comma-delimited) |
.csv |
Comma-separated values format. |
|
Formatted text (Space-delimited) |
.rtf |
Rich Text Format (RTF). Only from Excel. |
|
Embedded object |
.gif, .jpg, .doc, .xls, or .bmp |
Microsoft Excel objects, objects from properly registered programs that support OLE 2.0 (OwnerLink), and Picture or another presentation format. |
|
Linked object |
.gif, .jpg, .doc, .xls, or .bmp |
OwnerLink, ObjectLink, Link, Picture, or other format. |
|
Office drawing object |
.emf |
Office drawing object format or Picture (Windows enhanced metafile format, EMF). |
|
Text |
.txt |
Display Text, OEM Text. |
|
Single File Web Page |
.mht, .mhtml |
Single File Web Page (MHT or MHTML). This file format integrates inline graphics, applets, linked documents, and other supporting items referenced in the document. Note: This format is not supported in Excel 2007. |
|
Web Page |
.htm, .html |
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Note: When you copy text from another program, Excel pastes the text in HTML format, regardless of the format of the original text. |
File formats that are not supported in Excel
The following file formats are no longer supported in Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel Starter, and Excel 2007. You cannot open or save files in these file formats.
|
Format |
Extension |
Clipboard type identifiers |
|---|---|---|
|
Excel Chart |
.xlc |
Excel 2.0, 3.0, and 2.x file formats |
|
WK1, FMT, WK2, WK3, FM3, WK4 |
.wk1, .wk2, .wk3, .wk4, .wks |
Lotus 1-2-3 file formats (all versions) |
|
Microsoft Works |
.wks |
Microsoft Works file format (all versions) |
|
DBF 2 |
.dbf |
DBASE II file format |
|
WQ1 |
.wq1 |
Quattro Pro for MS-DOS file format |
|
WB1, WB3 |
.wb1, .wb3 |
Quattro Pro 5.0 and 7.0 for Windows. |
File formats that are not supported in Excel Starter
Additionally, the following file formats are no longer supported in Excel Starter. You cannot open or save files in these file formats.
|
Format |
Extension |
|---|---|
|
Excel 97-2003 Add-In |
.xla |
|
Excel Add-In |
.xlam |
|
Data source name |
.dsn |
|
Access MDE database |
.mde |
|
Office Data Connection |
.odc |
|
Data Link File |
.udl |
Opening or viewing unsupported file formats
If a file format that you want to use is not supported in Excel, you can try the following:
-
Search the Internet for a company that makes file format converters for file formats that are not supported in Excel.
-
Save to a file format that another program supports and then export from that program into a file format that Excel supports.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.
Related Topics
Excel formatting and features that are not transferred to other file formats
You can save an Excel file in another file format by clicking the File > Save As. The file formats that are available in the Save As dialog box vary, depending on what type of sheet is active (a worksheet, chart sheet, or other type of sheet).
Note: Whenever you save a file in another file format, some of its formatting, data, and features might not be transferred.
To open a file that was created in another file format, either in an earlier version of Excel or in another program, click File > Open. If you open an Excel 97-2003 workbook, it automatically opens in Compatibility Mode. To take advantage of the new features of Excel 2010, you can save the workbook to an Excel 2010 file format. However, you also have the option to continue to work in Compatibility Mode, which retains the original file format for backward compatibility.
Excel file formats
|
Format |
Extension |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Excel Workbook |
.xlsx |
The default XML-based file format for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. Cannot store Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro code or Microsoft Office Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (code) |
.xlsm |
The XML-based and macro-enabled file format for Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, and Excel 2007. Stores VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel Binary Workbook |
.xlsb |
The binary file format (BIFF12) for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. |
|
Template |
.xltx |
The default file format for an Excel template for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. Cannot store VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Template (code) |
.xltm |
The macro-enabled file format for an Excel template Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. Stores VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel 97- Excel 2003 Workbook |
.xls |
The Excel 97 — Excel 2003 Binary file format (BIFF8). |
|
Excel 97- Excel 2003 Template |
.xlt |
The Excel 97 — Excel 2003 Binary file format (BIFF8) for an Excel template. |
|
Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook |
.xls |
The Excel 5.0/95 Binary file format (BIFF5). |
|
XML Spreadsheet 2003 |
.xml |
XML Spreadsheet 2003 file format (XMLSS). |
|
XML Data |
.xml |
XML Data format. |
|
Excel Add-In |
.xlam |
The XML-based and macro-enabled Add-In format for Excel 2010 and Excel 2007. An Add-In is a supplemental program that is designed to run additional code. Supports the use of VBA projects and Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
|
Excel 97-2003 Add-In |
.xla |
The Excel 97-2003 Add-In, a supplemental program that is designed to run additional code. Supports the use of VBA projects. |
|
Excel 4.0 Workbook |
.xlw |
An Excel 4.0 file format that saves only worksheets, chart sheets, and macro sheets. You can open a workbook in this file format in Excel 2010, but you cannot save an Excel file to this file format. |
|
Works 6.0-9.0 spreadsheet |
.xlr |
Spreadsheet saved in Microsoft Works 6.0-9.0. Note: This format is supported in Excel Starter only. |
Text file formats
|
Format |
Extension |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Formatted Text (Space-delimited) |
.prn |
Lotus space-delimited format. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Text (Tab-delimited) |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on another Microsoft Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Text (Macintosh) |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Text (MS-DOS) |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
Unicode Text |
.txt |
Saves a workbook as Unicode text, a character encoding standard that was developed by the Unicode Consortium. |
|
CSV (comma delimited) |
.csv |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on another Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
CSV (Macintosh) |
.csv |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
CSV (MS-DOS) |
.csv |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
DIF |
.dif |
Data Interchange Format. Saves only the active sheet. |
|
SYLK |
.slk |
Symbolic Link Format. Saves only the active sheet. |
Note: If you save a workbook in any text format, all formatting is lost.
Other file formats
|
Format |
Extension |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
DBF 3, DBF 4 |
.dbf |
dBase III and IV. You can open these files formats in Excel, but you cannot save an Excel file to dBase format. |
|
OpenDocument Spreadsheet |
.ods |
OpenDocument Spreadsheet. You can save Excel 2010 files so they can be opened in spreadsheet applications that use the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format, such as Google Docs and OpenOffice.org Calc. You can also open spreadsheets in the .ods format in Excel 2010. Formatting might be lost when saving and opening .ods files. |
|
|
|
Portable Document Format (PDF). This file format preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the PDF format file is viewed online or printed, it retains the format that you intended. Data in the file cannot be easily changed. The PDF format is also useful for documents that will be reproduced by using commercial printing methods. Note: This format is not supported in Excel 2007. |
|
XPS Document |
.xps |
XML Paper Specification (XPS). This file format preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the XPS file is viewed online or printed, it retains exactly the format that you intended, and the data in the file cannot be easily changed. Note: This format is not supported in Excel 2007. |
File formats that use the Clipboard
You can paste data from the Microsoft Office Clipboard into Excel by using the Paste or Paste Special command (Home tab, Clipboard group, Paste button) if the Office Clipboard data is in one of the following formats.
|
Format |
Extension |
Clipboard type identifiers |
|---|---|---|
|
Picture |
.wmf or .emf |
Pictures in Windows Metafile Format (WMF) or Windows Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF). Note If you copy a Windows metafile picture from another program, Excel pastes the picture as an enhanced metafile. |
|
Bitmap |
.bmp |
Pictures stored in Bitmap format (BMP). |
|
Microsoft Excel file formats |
.xls |
Binary file formats for Excel versions 5.0/95 (BIFF5), Excel 97-2003 (BIFF8), and Excel 2010 (BIFF12). |
|
SYLK |
.slk |
Symbolic Link Format. |
|
DIF |
.dif |
Data Interchange Format. |
|
Text (tab-delimited) |
.txt |
Tab-separated text format. |
|
CSV (Comma-delimited) |
.csv |
Comma-separated values format. |
|
Formatted text (Space-delimited) |
.rtf |
Rich Text Format (RTF). Only from Excel. |
|
Embedded object |
.gif, .jpg, .doc, .xls, or .bmp |
Microsoft Excel objects, objects from properly registered programs that support OLE 2.0 (OwnerLink), and Picture or another presentation format. |
|
Linked object |
.gif, .jpg, .doc, .xls, or .bmp |
OwnerLink, ObjectLink, Link, Picture, or other format. |
|
Office drawing object |
.emf |
Office drawing object format or Picture (Windows enhanced metafile format, EMF). |
|
Text |
.txt |
Display Text, OEM Text. |
|
Single File Web Page |
.mht, .mhtml |
Single File Web Page (MHT or MHTML). This file format integrates inline graphics, applets, linked documents, and other supporting items referenced in the document. Note: This format is not supported in Excel 2007. |
|
Web Page |
.htm, .html |
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Note: When you copy text from another program, Excel pastes the text in HTML format, regardless of the format of the original text. |
File formats that are not supported in Excel
The following file formats are no longer supported in Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel Starter, and Excel 2007. You cannot open or save files in these file formats.
|
Format |
Extension |
Clipboard type identifiers |
|---|---|---|
|
Excel Chart |
.xlc |
Excel 2.0, 3.0, and 2.x file formats |
|
WK1, FMT, WK2, WK3, FM3, WK4 |
.wk1, .wk2, .wk3, .wk4, .wks |
Lotus 1-2-3 file formats (all versions) |
|
Microsoft Works |
.wks |
Microsoft Works file format (all versions) |
|
DBF 2 |
.dbf |
DBASE II file format |
|
WQ1 |
.wq1 |
Quattro Pro for MS-DOS file format |
|
WB1, WB3 |
.wb1, .wb3 |
Quattro Pro 5.0 and 7.0 for Windows. |
File formats that are not supported in Excel Starter
Additionally, the following file formats are no longer supported in Excel Starter. You cannot open or save files in these file formats.
|
Format |
Extension |
|---|---|
|
Excel 97-2003 Add-In |
.xla |
|
Excel Add-In |
.xlam |
|
Data source name |
.dsn |
|
Access MDE database |
.mde |
|
Office Data Connection |
.odc |
|
Data Link File |
.udl |
Opening or viewing unsupported file formats
If a file format that you want to use is not supported in Excel, you can try the following:
-
Search the Internet for a company that makes file format converters for file formats that are not supported in Excel.
-
Save to a file format that another program supports and then export from that program into a file format that Excel supports.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.
Related Topics
Excel formatting and features that are not transferred to other file formats
by Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related. When not working, you may usually find him either… read more
Updated on November 18, 2022
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Anyone that uses a PC for either school or work will need to use a spreadsheet sooner or later. While there are plenty of spreadsheet programs out there, few can rival Microsoft’s very own Excel in terms of popularity and versatility.
This neat little tool is part of the Microsoft Office Suite and contains all the tools that you will ever need to create and manage spreadsheets that you can later use in databases.
Of course, it doesn’t matter how popular a program is, it is impossible for everyone to know everything about it.
That is why there are still plenty of users out there that don’t know what are the supported file formats that Microsoft Excel can handle.
What file types can Microsoft Excel handle?
1. Excel file formats
Excel has several proprietary file formats that stem from the various spreadsheet types it can create. Additionally, new formats appeared as newer and newer versions of Excel were launched.
| Excel Workbook .xlsx |
XML Spreadsheet 2003 .xml |
| Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (code) .xlsm |
XML Data .xml |
| Excel Binary Workbook .xlsb |
XML Data format. .xlam |
| Template .xltx |
Excel 97-2003 Add-In .xla |
| Template (code) .xltm |
Excel 4.0 Workbook .xlw |
| Excel 97- Excel 2003 Workbook or Template .xls .xlt |
Works 6.0-9.0 spreadsheet .xlr |
| Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook .xls |
2. Text file formats
As you know, you cannot create a spreadsheet without any text, so Excel is designed to handle several very popular text files types.
| Formatted Text (Space-delimited) .prn |
| Text (Tab-delimited, Macintosh, MS-DOS) .txt |
| Unicode Text .txt |
| CSV (Comma delimited, Macintosh, and MS-DOS) .csv |
| DIF .dif |
| SYLK .slk |
3. Other file formats
Microsoft Excel is made to handle other popular file formats as well. PDFs can be opened and placed within a spreadsheet.
Additionally, a lot of times you may want to print your spreadsheet, so XPS files are also supported.
| DBF 3, DBF 4 .dbf |
| OpenDocument Spreadsheet .ods |
| PDF |
| XPS Document .xps |
Other software tools that are similar to Microsoft Excel
As far as PDF files go, Microsoft Excel is pretty good but it isn’t the best available. For better alternatives in opening PDF files, check out these neat tools:
- Corel WordPerfect
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
In addition to these formats, Excel supports even more file formats, but only for use in the clipboard, such as when you Copy-Paste an image file inside your document. These include JPG, BMP, HTM and HTML, and more.
Are you surprised by just how many file formats Microsoft Excel can support? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
RELATED ARTICLES YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
- How to open two Excel files in separate windows
- How to download Microsoft Outlook emails to Excel
- Not enough disk space error appearing in Excel? Fix it now
Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:
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Newsletter
Microsoft created and released the spreadsheet program known as Excel. It comes from the Microsoft Office family of productivity programs. Excel groups data into columns and rows as opposed to a word processor like Microsoft Word. A cell is a location where rows and columns cross. Data, such as text, a number, or a formula, are contained in each cell. They might not be able to display every feature of a file, programs that are compatible with a file format can present an overview of a file. When we want to save our files, we will have numerous file formats including Excel workbooks, templates, etc. These file formats are divided into various types, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint presentations.
File formats in Excel are of various types, but to determine how many formats exist in Excel, we must follow the procedure outlined below:
Step 1: Click on the file option at the top of the ribbon.
Step 2: Select the Save As option. The Workbook can be saved on local devices (like a computer) and the internet (e.g. OneDrive).
Step 3: Click on the option Browse and save as the dialog box opens.
Step 4: Choose the Save As option and you will see a list of file formats. Depending on the type of active Worksheet in your Workbook, several file types will be displayed (Data Worksheet, Chart Worksheet, or another type of Worksheet).
Step 5: Select the desired file format by clicking.
Excel File Formats
Excel Workbook
Extension: .xlsx
Spreadsheet files were created using Excel version 2007 and later have this extension. Currently, the default file extension for Excel files is XLSX. XML is the foundation of the file format XSLX. With the aid of this technology, XSLX files are significantly lighter and smaller than XLS files, which immediately results in space savings. Excel documents may be downloaded or uploaded more quickly. The only drawback of this XSLX extension is that it cannot open files created before Excel 2007.
Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook
Extension: .xlsm
With Excel 2007 and later, including Excel macros, the spreadsheet produces files with this suffix. It’s simple to deduce that a file contains a macro with the aid of an extension. This version was created for security purposes to prevent computer viruses, harmful macros, infecting machines, etc. from accessing a file. When it comes to security and macros, this file extension is quite dependable.
Excel Binary Workbook
Extension: .xlsb
When it comes to compressing, storing, opening, etc., this file extension type completely supports excel files that include a lot of data or information. It takes a lot of time to open and process an excel file with a lot of data. It occasionally hangs while opening and regularly crashes.
Template
Extension: .xltx
A template made by the spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel, part of the Microsoft Office family, is known as an XLTX file. It has predetermined layout options that may be used to produce several Excel spreadsheets (typically.XLSX files) with the same formatting and characteristics. XLTX files that give you a head start when making spreadsheets like bills, calendars, and budget plans. Additionally, you may make unique templates using your spreadsheets.
Template (code)
Extension: .xltm
A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet template with macro support is known as an XLTM file. It may also keep settings, spreadsheet data, and information about the layout in addition to one or more macros. When looking to generate several spreadsheets (primarily. XLSM) with the same data and style, Excel users save spreadsheets as XLTM files.
XLTX files and XLTM files are related. XLTM files, on the other hand, enable macros, which are collections of instructions that a user has organized so they may swiftly carry out a time-consuming or difficult operation, including formatting a document, inputting data, or conducting computations.
Excel Add-In
Extension: .xlam
The spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel, part of the Microsoft Office family, uses XLAM files, and add-ins that support macros. It is used in Excel to add new features and instructions. While some XLAM files are produced by Microsoft, others are produced by Excel users and third-party developers. Microsoft Excel users can add more features since different users use the program for various, specialized purposes. Users must install an XLAM file-based Excel add-in to add this functionality.
XML Spreadsheet 2003
Extension: .xml
A plain text document is an XML file, and to distinguish them, they are saved with the.xml file extension. The XML file format was created to convey data over the internet and can hold hundreds of entries in the computation. Either humans or machines can read it.. The majority of programming languages make use of XML libraries to do the parsing. Down-converting is the process of converting XML files to other required forms.
XML Data
Extension: .xml
Other description languages like RSS, DOCX format, XSL, and Microsoft don’t employ XML as a format. The text editor notepad++ can open this XML file natively. We need to have a few interactions with the various file organizations to manage the different file formats. The only organization that is required for data and web pages is XML. Next, you could double-click the browser—the file’s default viewer—on occasion to examine a file.
Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook
Extension: .xls
A spreadsheet file, known as an XLS file, can be produced by Microsoft Excel or exported by another spreadsheet application, like OpenOffice Calc or Apple Numbers. It includes one or more worksheets that store and present data as tables. The Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (XLS) binary format was introduced together with the initial 1987 version of Excel. Up to the introduction of Excel 2007, XLS files became one of the most used file formats for preserving spreadsheets. Microsoft replaced XLS files with the Microsoft Excel Open XML Spreadsheet (XLSX) format with this version. Excel spreadsheets are often saved in XLSX files.
Excel 4.0 Workbook
Extension: .xlw
Workspace files, which are saved in the well-known spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel, have the .xlw file extension. Workbook file references and screen locations are stored in files with the .xlw extension. When .xlw files are opened, the program can move them back to the spot on the screen where they were stored. .xlw files are essential for restoring layouts when a user is working on many workbooks at once. .xlw files only refer to workbook layouts on the screen, therefore they should not be mistaken for files that contain workbook data. These files are primarily utilized by Microsoft Excel 2010 and 2011, and users need to have all workbook files to correctly reopen these files.
Works 6.0-9.0 spreadsheet
Extension: .xlr
The file format specifications for XLR files were not made publicly available and were instead kept as binary files. Developers are consequently unable to examine the file system and create programs that read from and write to these files programmatically. The Works Spreadsheet saves data to.xlr files using the same Excel file format.
Text File Formats
Formatted Text (Space-delimited)
Extension: .prn
A PRN file is one that was made using the Print to File checkbox that may be found in several Windows Print dialogue boxes. A printer, fax machine, or other device utilizes it to print a document because it contains a set of device-specific instructions. Depending on the device the file was produced for, PRN files may include text or binary information.
Text (Tab-delimited)
Extension: .txt
An ordinary text document with simple text is known as a TXT file. Any text-editing or word-processing application may open and edit it. The most widely used text editors for producing TXT files are Apple TextEdit and Microsoft Notepad, which come pre-installed with Windows and macOS, respectively. TXT files are plain text files with very little to no formatting. They are utilized to manage manuscripts, detailed instructions, notes, and other text-based information.
When a user of TextEdit saves a document as a TXT file, those applications remove the document’s formatting (bolding, italicization, font style, alignment, etc.). Most users don’t store more complex text documents, including flyers, reports, letters, or resumes, as TXT files. Instead, they save them as other types of files.
Text (Macintosh)
Extension: .txt
This function guarantees that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are properly understood when a workbook is saved as a tab-delimited text file for usage on the Macintosh operating system. only saves the active sheet.
Text (MS-DOS)
Extension: .txt
Ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are properly understood when saving a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system. only saves the active sheet.
DIF
Extension: .dif
Data interchange format, or DIF for short, is a widely accepted standard for exporting spreadsheets. Users can export data from a spreadsheet in a format that can be loaded by several other programs using DIF files. The format has the drawback of not supporting numerous spreadsheets. This indicates that just one spreadsheet may be stored in a DIF file. As a result, you will need to make numerous DIF files if you wish to export many spreadsheets in the DIF format.
Unicode Text
Extension: .txt
The workbook can be saved as Unicode text, a character encoding standard created by the Unicode Consortium.
SYLK
Extension: .slk
A file stored in the Symbolic Link (SYLK) format, developed by Microsoft to transmit data between spreadsheet applications and other databases, is referred to as an SLK file. It has semicolons between lines of text that describe the cell row, column, layout, and content. An ANSI text file format is used to hold SLK files. SYLK (Symbolic Link) codes, such “E,” which stands for an expression within a cell, are used to record complex formulae.
CSV (comma delimited)
Extension: .csv
The Comma Separated Value (CSV) file extension is frequently used to identify files in this format. An easy text format for a database table is a comma-separated values file. A row in the table is represented by one line in the CSV file. Fields from different table columns are separated inside the line by commas. The CSV file format is straightforward and is accepted by a wide range of software. Moving tabular data between two separate computer applications sometimes involves the usage of csv files.
CSV (Macintosh)
Extension: .csv
Ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are properly understood when saving a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for usage on the Macintosh operating system. Only saves the active sheet.
CSV (MS-DOS)
Extension: .csv
Ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are properly understood when saving a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system. only saves the active sheet.
Other File Formats
Extension: .pdf
Format for Portable Documents (PDF). This file format allows file sharing and maintains document layout. The format that you intended is kept when the PDF file is printed or read online. The file’s data cannot be readily altered. For papers that will be printed using professional printing techniques, the PDF format is also beneficial. Note: Excel 2007 does not support this format.
Open document spreadsheet
Extension: .ods
The spreadsheet in OpenDocument. You can save Excel 2010 files so they can be opened in spreadsheet software like Google Docs and OpenOffice.org Calc which supports the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format. Additionally, Excel 2010 supports opening spreadsheets in the. ods format. When. ods, files are opened and saved, and formatting could be lost.
DBF 3, DBF 4
Extension: .dbf
The database management system program dBASE uses a standard database file called a DBF. It divides the information into several records with fields kept in an array data type. Due to the ubiquity of the file format, other “xBase” database tools are also compatible with DBF files. DBF files have been extensively embraced as a standard storage format for structured data in business applications due to their early adoption in the database community and a very simple file layout.
XPS Document
Extension: .xps
XML paper specification files are the ones with the .XPS suffix. These files have a predefined layout and are used to safeguard the accuracy of the data they contain. The sole distinction between them and the well-known PDF file format is the .XPS format’s usage of XML standards for its file structure. The data in your file may be read, shared, and modified using XPS files, which are simple to distribute online. It has become a well-liked substitute for the PDF file format as a result. Any software that runs on Windows and has printing capabilities may produce XPS files.
Excel File Extensions and Their Uses
XLS, XLSX, XLSM, XLTX and XLTM
A file extension is the group of letters that appear after the last period in a file name. File extensions are usually 2 to 4 characters long, although they can be of any length. Excel uses a handful of standard extensions to disambiguate certain kinds of spreadsheet files.
The information in this article applies to Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel Online, and Excel for Mac.
XLS vs. XLSX
The current default file extension for an Excel file is XLSX. Prior to Excel 2007, the default file extension was XLS. The main difference between the two is that XLSX is an XML-based open file format and XLS is a proprietary Microsoft format. But, the newer versions of Excel save and open XLS files for the sake of compatibility with earlier versions of the program.
Determine if a file contains macros before you open it. Macros contain code that could damage files and compromise computer security if they come from untrusted sources. Excel files containing VBA and XLM macros use the XLSM extension.
XML and HTML
XML stands for extensible markup language. XML is related to HTML, the extension used for web pages. Advantages of this file format include:
- Smaller file sizes for storage and transfer.
- Better recovery of information from damaged files.
- Easier detection of files containing macros.
XLTX and XLTM
If an Excel file has either an XLTX or an XLTM extension, it is saved as a template file. Template files are used as starter files for new workbooks. Templates contain saved settings such as the default number of sheets per workbook, formatting, formulas, graphics, and custom toolbars. The difference between the two extensions is that the XLTM format can store VBA and XML macro code.
Macintosh computers do not rely on file extensions to determine which program to use when opening a file. However, for the sake of compatibility with the Windows version of the program, Excel for Mac uses the XLSX file extension.
Excel files created in one operating system can be opened the other. One exception to this is Excel 2008 for the Mac, which does not support VBA macros. As a result, it cannot open XLMX or XMLT files created by Windows or later Mac versions that support VBA macros.
Change File Formats With Save As
To change an Excel format (and its extension), follow these steps:
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Open the workbook and select File > Save As. In Excel 2019, select Save a Copy instead.
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In the dialog box, accept the suggested file name or type a new name for the workbook.
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In the Save as type or File Format list, choose the format for the resulting file.
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Select Save to save the file in the new format and return to the current worksheet.
If a file is saved in a format that does not support all the features of the current format, such as formatting or formulas, an alert message box appears prompting you to continue or to cancel.
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