Excel File Extensions are created to categorize the file format. In most operating systems file extensions are to recognize the type of the files for the operating system to ensure that it can open and run the file with the specific format. Perhaps you are familiar with excel but not with their file formats. If you don’t know about excel File extensions XLSX and XLSM this article can be the right information for you.

When we are trying to save the existing file with another file extension, most of the existing files features will not be transferred to the new file type. The standard file type in Excel is XLSX. It is because Microsoft has changed the core structure of their sheets and you will see large files are a bit smaller after getting converted to the new file format.

XLSX vs XLSM

XLSX and XLSM are file extensions for Microsoft Excel, a widely-used spreadsheet file formats .The major difference between the file extensions is that XLSM contain macros and XLSX do not. XLSX and XLSM are the upgrade version of the old XLS extension. As the old XLS format use the data binary, XLSX and XLSM extension internally use the XML format.

Though XLSX is the default file format, current versions of Excel also provide you the XLSM extension. The “M” means that the Macros are scripts that enable Excel experts to program and customize their own spreadsheets. When you get an XLSM file from a novice, it is unlikely they have written the code on their own, so it is crucial that you trust only the file’s original creator. It is because macros are often used to delete vital system files and download malicious codes or viruses .Macros are scripts that can run automated tasks within another program and Macros in XLSM files can certainly help complete repetitive commands , like formatting columns faster.

If you are dealing with macro in excel it is advisable to change the file format to ensure the smooth flow of macro running. That is the standard extension for macro that contains workbook .XLSX will not support the macro code. That allows you to run the macros, you will need to save file as a macro-enabled workbook. If you still want to learn more details about XLSX and XLSM, I highly recommend visiting  https://www.am18.co.uk/excel-file-types-xlsm-vs-xlsx/

Safety
Microsoft Excel has disabled macros by default due to the fact macros are able to spread viruses, negatively affecting your computer. Even though an Excel document comes with macros, Excel will never execute them until you save the file in XLSM. So by launching a second d file format, Microsoft has put a warning that a file has VB scripts. Certainly, you can still find older XLS files but when you have a spreadsheet in daily use, it can be one of those 3 formats.

Also, you still can run XLS files in many spreadsheet programs, such as OpenOffice Calc, WordPerfect Office, or Gnumeric. Because you can only run XLSM in Excel, saving it as XLS format rather can make it easier to having access to the files