What is the Difference Between xls and xlsx in Microsoft Excel?

The main difference between XLS and XLSX file formats in Microsoft Excel lies in their structure, compatibility, and features. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. File Format: XLS files use the Binary Interchange File Format (BIFF) and store information in binary format, while XLSX files are based on the Office Open XML format and store data in compressed XML files in a ZIP container.
2. Compatibility: XLS files have higher compatibility than XLSX, as they are readable by all Microsoft Excel versions, while XLSX files are only readable by Excel 2007 and later versions.
3. Macros: XLS files can hold spreadsheets with or without macros, while XLSX files do not support macros.
4. File Size and Storage: XLS files are based on the older binary format, while XLSX files use the newer XML-based format and are compressed, making them generally smaller in size.
5. Speed: XLS files are faster than XLSX files, especially when dealing with complex formulas.
6. Editing on Google Sheets: XLS files can be uploaded to Google Sheets and viewed, but they cannot be edited until they are converted to XLSX files.

In summary, while both XLS and XLSX files are used for storing financial or mathematical data in Excel, their differences in file format, compatibility, macros support, file size, storage, and editing on Google Sheets should be considered when choosing between them.

Comparative Table: xls vs xlsx in Microsoft Excel

Here is a table comparing the differences between XLS and XLSX file formats in Microsoft Excel:

Both XLS and XLSX are file formats for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, but they have different file extensions and different characteristics. XLS is based on the older proprietary binary format (BIFF), while XLSX is based on the Office Open XML format derived from XML. XLSX files are the newer version of XLS files, and they generally have smaller file sizes due to the use of ZIP and compression technologies. XLSX files also support more advanced features such as advanced formulas, charts, and formats, while XLS files are limited to plain data.