.xlsx

What is a .xlsx file?

XLSX is Microsoft Excel's default spreadsheet format — formulas, charts, pivot tables, and a million rows in an XML-based container.

Safe format
Type Document
By Microsoft
MIME application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet

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What is it

You received a spreadsheet. It contains numbers that matter to someone, formatted in ways that matter to someone else. It's an XLSX — Excel's default since 2007, and the format that powers everything from household budgets to Fortune 500 financial models.

Like DOCX, an XLSX file is secretly a ZIP archive of XML files — rename one to .zip and look inside if you're curious. The older .xls format was a binary blob limited to 65,536 rows; XLSX handles over a million. It supports formulas, charts, pivot tables, conditional formatting, multiple sheets, and macros (though macro-enabled files use the .xlsm extension). The XML structure means other tools can read and write the format reliably, which is why Google Sheets and LibreOffice Calc handle most XLSX files without drama.

Excel (subscription) is the definitive editor. Google Sheets is free and handles 90% of typical spreadsheets. LibreOffice Calc is free and capable, though complex macros may need adjustment. For raw data exchange without any formatting concerns, CSV is simpler. For anything involving calculations, presentation, or that one colleague's 47-tab budget tracker, XLSX is the standard.

Technical details
Full Name
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
MIME Type
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet
Developer
Microsoft
Magic Bytes
50 4B 03 04
Safety
.xlsx is a known, safe format.
What opens it
Microsoft Excel
Subscription All
Google Sheets
FREE Web
LibreOffice Calc
FREE All
Apple Numbers
FREE macOS / iOS
FAQ
What is the difference between XLSX and CSV?
CSV is plain text — just commas and values. XLSX is a full spreadsheet with formulas, formatting, multiple sheets, charts, and data types. Use CSV when you need maximum compatibility or are feeding data to code. Use XLSX when humans need to read, filter, or calculate.
How do I open an XLSX file without Excel?
Google Sheets opens XLSX files directly in your browser. LibreOffice Calc (free, all platforms) and Apple Numbers also work. Complex formulas or macros may not translate perfectly, but for most files you will not notice a difference.
What is the difference between XLSX and XLS?
XLS is the legacy binary format from Excel 97–2003, limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns. XLSX uses open XML, supports over 1 million rows and 16,384 columns, produces smaller files, and works with more software. There is no reason to save as XLS unless someone specifically asks.
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