What is the difference between xls vs xlsx file format?

What means the last X in an XLSX file format?

XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language and is a computer language. While it may not be easily understood by humans, it allows computers to store and read data efficiently when it is well-organized. Consequently, XLSX files can access data more rapidly. 👍

Utilizing XML format as the basis for an Excel file enhances its usability and also diminishes the file size.

Reduce the size of your Excel files

XML does not automatically compress data; however, the XLSX format is a compressed XML format. Therefore, when you convert an XLS file to XLSX, the file size is typically reduced. For example, a file saved with both XLS and XLSX extensions shows that the XLSX file is significantly smaller than its XLS counterpart, even though they contain the same data. 😲😲😲

A bigger range of cells.

In an XLS workbook, the row limit is 65,536 (216) and 256 columns (28) which corresponds to column IV.

Now with xlsx workbooks (and xlsm), limits are 1,048,576 rows (2²⁰⁾ and 16,384 columns (2¹⁴⁾ or the column XFD.

Protection against macros

• .xlsX workbooks have no macro
• .xlsM,  workbooks have macros

We have seen that the last x of an xlsx file indicates that the file is compressed and respects the XML standard. The M, of an xlsm file, indicates the file contains macros

A macro is a program written by an end-user to provide automation (opening files, data comparison, data aggregation across multiple sheets, ...) but also a program may cause malfunctions. In addition, a macro can run directly when you open an Excel file, without prompting the user.

So with an XLSX file, you can be sure your file has NO macro (and NO virus). With an xls file, you don't know whether your workbook contains macros or not 😱😱😱

Work with Tables

The Tables are very powerful for working with data in your workbook. Tables are very useful for creating dynamic functions, changing the design quickly, or selecting rows or columns easily.

But Tables are only available with xlsx files. If you save your work to XLS, your Tables will be destroyed and will be unusable.

External Data and Website

An XML file is readable by a browser, which enables interaction between an Excel workbook with an XML extension and a web application.

• Use Excel for free in a browser
• Data Type to connect to external Database like geography and Stock Exchange
• Connect to API to calculate the distance between 2 cities or create QR Code