Which file format should you use when saving a spreadsheet? XLS or XLSX? While both formats are widely used, they have some significant differences. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at those differences and help you decide which format is best for you.
What is XLS?
- XLS is a file extension for an Excel spreadsheet file format. XLS files are used to store data and can be opened by Microsoft Excel. XLS files can also be opened by other spreadsheet programs, such as Apache OpenOffice Calc and Apple Numbers. XLS files typically contain tabular data, such as financial data or statistical data, that is arranged in rows and columns.
- XLS files can also contain charts and graphs, as well as other types of data, such as images. XLS files are saved in a binary file format, which means they can be opened and edited by Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs. However, XLS files cannot be opened by text editors, such as Microsoft Word.
- XLS files are the standard file format for Microsoft Excel and are therefore the most common type of Excel file. XLSX is the latest version of the XLS file format and is based on XML (Extensible Markup Language). XLSX files are smaller in size than XLS files and can be opened by Microsoft Excel 2007 and later versions. XLSM is a macro-enabled version of the XLSX file format that can contain macros written in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
What is XLSX?
XLSX is a file format that allows you to save your workbook as a compressed file. XLSX files are smaller in size than XLS files and can be password protected. XLSX files are compatible with Microsoft Excel 2007 and later. To open an XLSX file, you need to have Microsoft Excel installed on your computer. XLSX files are saved in a zipped format, so they can be opened by any program that supports zip compression.
Difference between XLS and XLSX
XLS and XLSX are two different file formats used to store spreadsheet data. XLS is the older file format, while XLSX is the newer file format. XLSX is based on the XML standard, while XLS is based on the proprietary Microsoft Excel binary format. XLSX files are smaller in size than XLS files, and they can be opened by any application that supports XML. XLS files can only be opened by Microsoft Excel. XLSX files also support features that are not available in XLS files, such as data validation and conditional formatting.
Conclusion
The difference between XLS and XLSX files is that the latter supports more features, such as macros. If you want to create a file that can be opened by others who may not have Excel installed on their computer, then you should save your work as an XLSX file. Additionally, if you plan to edit your document later, it’s best to save it in the XLSX format so that all of your changes will be saved.
