Differences Between XLS and XLSX
XLS and XLSX are both spreadsheet file formats used by Microsoft Excel. However, there are some key differences between the two:
Feature | XLS | XLSX |
---|---|---|
File format | Binary | XML-based ZIP archive |
Compatibility | Readable by all versions of Excel | Readable by Excel 2007 and later |
File size | Typically larger | Typically smaller |
Macro support | Yes | No |
Other features | Supports fewer features, such as pivot tables and conditional formatting | Supports more features, such as data slicing and dicing |
File format
XLS files use a binary file format, which means that the data is stored in a way that can be read by computers directly. XLSX files, on the other hand, use an XML-based ZIP archive format. This means that the data is stored in a compressed format and can be read by any program that can open ZIP files.
Compatibility
XLS files are compatible with all versions of Excel, while XLSX files can only be opened by Excel 2007 and later. This is because XLSX files use a newer file format that is not supported by older versions of Excel.
File size
XLSX files are typically smaller than XLS files because the data is compressed. This can be a significant advantage if you are working with large spreadsheets or need to share spreadsheets with others who may not have the latest version of Excel.
Macro support
XLS files support macros, which are automated tasks that can be recorded and played back. XLSX files do not support macros, but they can be used to create and run macros in Excel 2007 and later.
Other features
XLSX files support more features than XLS files, such as data slicing and dicing. This means that you can more easily analyze and visualize your data in Excel.
Which format should I use?
If you need to share your spreadsheet with others who may not have the latest version of Excel, you should use the XLS format. However, if you are using Excel 2007 or later, and you do not need to share your spreadsheet with others who are using older versions of Excel, you should use the XLSX format.
How to convert between XLS and XLSX
You can convert between XLS and XLSX using Excel. To do this, open the XLS or XLSX file in Excel and then click on the File tab. In the Info pane, click on the Convert button and then select the format that you want to convert to.
You can also convert between XLS and XLSX using online file converters. There are many different online file converters available, so you can choose one that is convenient for you.