How to Open an XLSX File?

What is an XLSX File?

Did you find an XLSX file on your computer and wonder what program should open it? Maybe someone emailed you an XLSX file but you're not sure how to use it. Perhaps you tried to open the XLSX file but Windows told you that it could not open it. Before you can open an XLSX file (assuming it's even a file format that's intended to be viewed or edited), you'll need to determine what kind of file the XLSX file extension refers to.

A file with the XLSX file extension is an Excel Microsoft Office Open XML Format Spreadsheet file.

How to Open an XLSX File?

There are several ways to open an XLSX file. The easiest way to open an XLSX file is to double-click on it and let your PC decide which default application should open the file. If no program opens the XLSX file then you probably don't have an application installed that can view and/or edit XLSX files. And Microsoft Office Excel 2007 (and above) is the primary software program used to open XLSX files and edit XLSX files.

1. Download an .XLSX File Viewer

If you do not currently have Excel 2007, download the .XLSX file viewer from Microsoft. This Excel viewer allows you to open .xlsx files, even if you do not have a copy of Microsoft Excel 2007 installed on your computer. Bear in mind that you cannot make changes to the file, but you will be able to view and print .xlsx files easily enough.

2. Update Your Earlier Version of Excel for Compatibility with the .XLSX File Extension

If you have an earlier version of Excel (Excel XP or Excel 2003), update your version for compatibility with the .xlsx file format by downloading and installing the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007. This update will make it possible for your current version of Excel to open, edit, save, and print .xlsx files. Not only will you be able to open .xlsx files, you will be able to work with them! This is the best option for users who currently use Excel XP or 2003 as it will solve your .xlsx file viewing problems once and for all.

3. Open the .XLSX File in OpenOffice.org's Calc Program

If you do not currently own Excel and want to be able to do more than just open .xlsx files, then skip the free Excel file viewer and download the OpenOffice.org software suite instead. OpenOffice's spreadsheet program, Calc, is capable of opening .xlsx files. In addition to being able to open Excel 2007 files, you will also be able to edit, save, and print them. Best of all, OpenOffice programs are free! Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for programs that compete with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, download this suite of software for free. You'll be able to open .xlsx files as well as have access to powerful productivity tools.

Opening .xlsx files is easy once you have the free .xlsx viewer, the Excel 2007 compatibility pack, or OpenOffice.org's Calc installed on your computer. Depending on your computer's current configuration, any of these choices should work for you.

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