| Extension | .xlsm |
| Category | documents |
| Description | The XLSM format is a specific file extension used in Microsoft Excel, denoting a spreadsheet containing macros. These macros are written in the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) language. This format enhances the traditional XLSX format by including macros, a feature absent in XLSX files. XLSM files allow users to automate tasks, perform calculations, and create custom functions within Excel, using VBA macros. These macros can range from simple scripts to complex automation sequences, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. XLSM files are commonly used in applications requiring automation and customization, such as business, finance, and data analysis. |
| Technical details | XLSM files are built on the Open XML format, a zipped, XML-based file format developed by Microsoft to represent spreadsheets, charts, presentations, and word processing documents. The main components of an XLSM file are XML files, stored within the compressed archive. These XML files define the workbook's structure, styles, themes, and shared strings, dictating the content and formatting of the spreadsheet. XLSM files support macros written in VBA, and these macros can be accessed and modified in Microsoft Excel, as well as other spreadsheet software supporting the Open XML format. The ".xlsm" file extension distinguishes Excel workbooks enabled with macros from standard Excel workbooks, typically denoted by the ".xlsx" extension. This helps users and applications identify files containing macros, while the ".xlsx" extension signifies standard Excel documents without macros. |
