Microsoft Excel workbook (XLSX)
What is a XLSX file?
XLSX is Microsoft Excel's standard workbook format, introduced with Excel 2007. A workbook can hold many sheets with formulas, charts, number formats and filters. Like DOCX, it's a compressed bundle of XML files, and it's the format most businesses use to share budgets, reports and data exports.
How to open a XLSX file
- Windows
- Open it in Microsoft Excel or Excel for the web at office.com, which is enough for viewing and light editing.
- Mac
- Double-click to open in Numbers, which comes with every Mac, or in Excel if you have it.
- iPhone
- Preview it from Files or Mail, or edit it in the Excel or Numbers app.
- Android
- Open it in the Microsoft Excel app, or with Google Sheets after uploading it to Google Drive.
Good for
- Keeps formulas, formatting and multiple sheets
- Handles over a million rows per sheet
- Opens in Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets and LibreOffice
Watch out for
- Formulas and macros can break in other apps
- Too complex for simple data imports, where CSV works better
- Easy for recipients to change numbers by accident
XLSX file questions
How do I send a spreadsheet so nobody can edit it?
Convert it to PDF. The recipient sees the numbers and charts exactly as laid out, without being able to change formulas.
What's the difference between XLSX and CSV?
XLSX keeps formatting, formulas and several sheets. CSV is plain text with one table, which almost every other system can import.
Why do my dates look wrong after converting?
Dates depend on regional settings. Check the cell format in your spreadsheet app and set the date style you want before converting.