What is the difference between xls and xlsx

The difference between xls and xlsx: 1. File structure, xls files use binary format, while .xlsx files use Open XML format; 2. File size, xlsx files use compression technology, so compared to xls files Said to be smaller; 3. Compatibility, the xls file format is an earlier version, the xlsx file uses the open XML format, so the compatibility of the xlsx file is better; 4. Function, the xlsx file has more functions than the xls file and features; 5. Security, xlsx is more reliable than xls.

The operating system for this tutorial: Windows 10 system, DELL G3 computer.

In the modern era of advanced technology, spreadsheet software is widely used in offices and business environments. Microsoft Excel is one of the most commonly used spreadsheet software for processing data and performing data analysis. In Excel, there are two main file formats, namely .xls and .xlsx. There are some functional and structural differences between these two file formats, and this article will explore the differences between them.

1. File structure: .xls files are in binary format, while .xlsx files are in Open XML format. This means that data in .xls files is stored in binary form, while data in .xlsx files is stored in XML format. Because the .xlsx file uses the open XML format, it is more extensible and flexible.

2. File size: Since .xlsx files use compression technology, the file size is smaller compared to .xls files. This makes .xlsx files more efficient in storage and transfer. In addition, because the .xlsx file adopts the XML format, the .xlsx file is relatively more stable when processing large-scale data.

3. Compatibility: Since the .xls file format is an earlier version, there may be some compatibility issues in some new Excel versions. However, the .xlsx file uses the open XML format, and newer Excel versions support this format, so the .xlsx file has better compatibility. In addition, since .xlsx files can be used in other Office suites such as Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice, its compatibility across different platforms is also wider.

4. Function: .xlsx file has more functions and features than .xls file. Excel 2007 and later versions provide more tools and functions to improve the efficiency of data analysis and processing. For example, .xlsx files support larger worksheet sizes (approximately 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns) and have new data visualization features such as charts. Therefore, .xlsx files are a better choice for users who require more advanced features.

5. Security: Because .xls files are stored in binary format, they are relatively vulnerable to malware and viruses. In contrast, .xlsx files are in XML format and can be encrypted to provide greater security. This makes .xlsx files more reliable in protecting sensitive data and preventing malware intrusions.

To sum up, .xls and .xlsx are two different Excel file formats. .xls files are in binary format, older versions may have compatibility issues, are relatively large, and are relatively less flexible. Compared with this, .xlsx files adopt an open XML format, have smaller file size, better compatibility, more functions and advanced features, and are more secure and reliable. Therefore, it is most important to choose the appropriate file format based on personal needs and actual conditions.

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