Excel Extensions

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.

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.

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-ins 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 Tab >Excel Add-ins and select the additional feature created by a User Defined Function (UDF).

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

• 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%.

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: -

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