Decoding XLSX Files: Differences Between XLSX and XLS Formats Explained

What is XLSX file? Is XLSX and XLS file same?

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What is XLSX file?

XLSX files are a type of file format used by Microsoft Excel, a popular spreadsheet software. This file extension stands for “XML Spreadsheet Format,” which means that the file uses the Extensible Markup Language (XML) to organize and store data in a structured way.

The XLSX file format was introduced in Microsoft Office 2007 as an improvement over the older XLS file format. It offers several advantages, including a smaller file size, improved data recovery options, and better compatibility with other software.

In this article, we will dive into the details of XLSX files, including their structure, advantages, and how to open them.

XLSX File Structure

An XLSX file consists of a collection of worksheets, each of which contains rows and columns of cells. Each cell can contain a value, such as a number or text, or a formula that calculates a value based on the contents of other cells.

The XLSX file format is based on the OpenXML standard, which means that the file is essentially a ZIP archive containing several XML files. These XML files define the structure of the workbook, including the worksheets, cells, formulas, and formatting.

Here is an overview of the main XML files that make up an XLSX file:

  • [Content_Types].xml: This file defines the content types of the other XML files in the archive, such as worksheets, styles, and shared strings.
  • xl/workbook.xml: This file defines the overall structure of the workbook, including the number and names of worksheets.
  • xl/worksheets/sheet1.xml, xl/worksheets/sheet2.xml, etc.: These files contain the data and formatting for each worksheet in the workbook.
  • xl/styles.xml: This file defines the styles and formatting options used in the workbook.
  • xl/sharedStrings.xml: This file contains a list of all the unique strings used in the workbook, which helps to reduce file size by eliminating duplicate strings.
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Advantages of XLSX Files

Compared to the older XLS file format, XLSX files offer several advantages:

  • Smaller file size: XLSX files are typically much smaller than XLS files, which makes them easier to share and store.
  • Improved data recovery options: XLSX files are less prone to corruption than XLS files, and if a file does become corrupted, it is often possible to recover the data using built-in recovery tools.
  • XLSX files have better compatibility with other software, including free alternatives to Microsoft Excel such as Google Sheets and LibreOffice, enabling users to open and edit them

How to Open XLSX Files

To open an XLSX file, you will need spreadsheet software that supports the XLSX format. Microsoft Excel is the most popular choice, but there are also several free alternatives available, such as Google Sheets and LibreOffice Calc.

Here are the steps to open an XLSX file in Microsoft Excel:

  1. Open Microsoft Excel.
  2. Click the “File” menu and select “Open.”
  3. Navigate to the location of the XLSX file on your computer.
  4. Select the file and click “Open.”

The XLSX file should now open in Microsoft Excel, and you can view and edit the data as needed.

The Differences between XLSX and XLS files:

  1. File size:
  • One of the major differences between XLSX and XLS files is their size. XLSX files are generally smaller than XLS files because they use compression and store data more efficiently in the Open XML format.
  1. Compatibility:
  • Another major difference between XLSX and XLS files is their compatibility. XLS files are compatible with older versions of Microsoft Excel, but XLSX files are not.
  1. Features:
  • XLSX files support more advanced features than XLS files. XLSX files can handle larger amounts of data, support more formulas, and have more formatting options than XLS files.
  1. Security:
  • XLSX files have better security features compared to XLS files. XLSX files can be password-protected, and the encryption used in XLSX files is more secure than the encryption used in XLS files.
  1. Accessibility:
  • XLSX files are more accessible than XLS files. XLSX files can be easily opened and edited on mobile devices and web browsers, while XLS files require a desktop application to be opened.
See also  How to Remove Passwords from XLSX Files

Conclusion

xlsx files are a modern file format used by Microsoft Excel to organize and store data in a structured way. They offer several advantages over the older XLS file format, including smaller file size, improved data recovery options, and better compatibility with other software.

To open an this file, you will need spreadsheet software that supports the format, such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc.

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