XLSX file format
| Extension | .xlsx |
| Category | documents |
| Programs | Microsoft Office LibreOffice Kingsoft Office Google Docs |
| Main program | Microsoft Office |
| Description | Launched with Excel 2007 under the Office Open XML (OOXML) standard, the .xlsx format represents a significant improvement over the older .xls format. It uses XML, embedded within a ZIP archive, to make data easier to read and to organize elements like worksheets and shared strings efficiently. This format can accommodate a substantial 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns per sheet, making it ideal for large datasets. Furthermore, it includes advanced features such as formulas, charts, pivot tables, and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros. The XML files used in this format help keep file sizes smaller. The .xlsx format promotes compatibility across various platforms, integrates security measures like digital signatures and encryption, and even has a version that supports macros, known as .xlsm. This makes it useful for creating complex documents. |
| Technical details | As of Excel 2007, the .xlsx format is the default file format for spreadsheets created in Microsoft Excel. It's part of the Office Open XML specifications and leverages XML and ZIP compression to reduce file sizes. The .xlsx format allows for the creation of complex spreadsheets containing data, formulas, charts, pivot tables, and various formatting options. With improved efficiency and security compared to the .xls format, it has become widely adopted in business, education, and personal data management. |
| MIME type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet |