What is an XLSX file? The scope of the XLSX file belongs to Microsoft Excel sheets. Microsoft Excel is used to create data files in which you store data in the form of text and number forms in cells. There are several mathematical formulas that you can use to process your data and create your file.
How to set an XLSX file?
These files are used in MS Excel, a spreadsheet application used to organize and store data in cells. The stored data can be text or numeric that can then be processed with mathematical formulas.
This new file length was introduced in 2007 in the office open XLS rule. Now XLSX is the default file length for creating a spreadsheet. This file length has replaced the previously used XLS file length. In layman's language, MS Excel files are called XLSX files. Each spreadsheet that is created in MS Excel is saved with only this file length.
How do you open an XLSX file?
The best way to open an XLSX file is to have Microsoft Office installed which has Microsoft Excel with which you can open and edit the xlsx file. But if you don't want to buy the Microsoft Office then you can install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack on your system to open, edit and save the XLSX files using an old version of Microsoft Excel.
If you don't want to edit the Excel file, and just want to see it, you can download Microsoft Excel Viewer. It can help you view, print and copy the data of the xlsx file format. Even though, Excel Viewer is free but apparently there are some things it cannot do, such as:
- You cannot edit the data within the spreadsheet
- You cannot save changes to a workbook
- You also can't create a new workbook
Note: Microsoft's Excel Viewer was retired in April 2018. Even though third-party websites still have Excel Viewer, downloading the settings from third-party websites is not recommended.
What if you don't have an MS Excel application on your system? How will you open and edit the excel file? Can we open this file with MS Excel? Yes, there are several online functions that you can use to open this file. Here are some of them - Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Spreadsheets, Apple Numbers, Google Sheets, Zoho Docs, MS Excel Online. These online tools allow you to open, read and edit the xlsx file without MS Excel.
Google Sheets
If you use Google Sheets, you need to upload the MS Excel file to Google disk first and then you can easily open and edit the .xlsx file. Another advantage associated with this is that you can share it directly with other people on the disk. At the same time, your files are stored on disk, which you can access from anywhere and at any time. Isn't it cool?
Prerequisites: You have to have a Gmail account to have access to the Google unit and its features.
Step 1: go to doc.google.com or drive.google.com, where you must first upload the xlsx file.
Step 2 - Now you just have to double click on the loaded file or right click on the file and open it with the appropriate app.
Note: if you are browsing through Google Chrome, you can download the Office Editing for Docs, Sheets and Slides (official Google extension) that allows you to directly open and edit the XLSX file in the browser.
Open XLSX file online with ZOHO
This is another online platform where you only have to upload the file in Zoho docs to open and edit the xlsx file. All you have to do is browse docs.zoho.com. Here you will find an option to upload the file and open it.
You need to have a Zoho account to have access to all these features. If you have it, you can proceed or you need to create a new Zoho account. It also offers you an intuitive user interface where you can easily open and edit your XLSX file. At the same time, you can store your files in the cloud and easily modify them on the go.
How to convert an XLSX file
Now, to convert the XLSX file into any other format, you need to open the .xlsx file in the same program that you use to open and edit the xlsx file. Once the file is open, you need to save the file with a different format (extension) than the one you intend to convert the file to.
For example, if you are using Microsoft Excel, open the file first, and then on the menu click File> Save As. Now find the location where you want to save the file and then in the "Save as type" drop-down select the format such as CSV, XLS, TXT, XML, etc. to convert the file to a different format, and then click Save.
But from time to time it is easier to use third party apps to convert XLSX file online. Some of these free file conversion tools are Zamzar, Convert Files, Online-Convert, etc.
conclusion
Using the Drive alternatives to open and edit Excel files is more effective because it offers you an interactive user interface, various features, and the most important file storage in the cloud. Don't you think that having access to your files from anywhere and at any time is the best advantage you can get by opting for Google's drive option to open, edit and format your XLSX files? Yes it is. In this way, you must select the option that seems safest and most convenient for your purpose.
This is if you have successfully learned what an XLSX file is and how you can open an XLSX file on your system, but if you still have any questions about this guide, feel free to ask them in the comment section.
