Lists file formats (file types) that are supported in Excel, their extensions, and how to save workbooks to a different format or the current XML-based format (.xlsx).
In Microsoft Excel, workbooks are saved as Excel Workbooks (.xlsx) by default. You can change the default file format to any other file format that is supported in Excel.
The .xlsx workbook format introduced in Excel 2007 preserves all worksheet and chart data, formatting, and other features available in earlier Excel versions, and the Macro-Enabled Workbook format (.xlsm) preserves macros and macro sheets in addition to those features.
The Open XML format (.docx/.xlsx/.pptx) is the default format in all supported versions of Microsoft Office and, unless you have a specific reason to use a different format, it's the format we recommend using for your Office files.
When you work in Compatibility Mode or want to save a workbook to the Excel 97-2003 (.xls) file format, the Compatibility Checker can help you identify issues that may cause a significant loss of functionality or a minor loss of fidelity in the earlier version of Excel.
How to restore an Excel file to an older version when the file can no longer be opened. There are scenarios in which files become corrupted and can't be opens in Excel anymore.
Save the workbook in SYLK (Symbolic Link) format By saving the workbook in SYLK format, you may be able to filter out the corrupted elements. SYLK format is typically used to remove printer corruption.
These formats and file name extensions apply to Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. This article discusses key benefits of the format, describes the file name extensions and discusses how you can share Office files with people who are using earlier versions of Office.
