Opening XLSX Files

Microsoft Office 2007 introduced a new set of file formats including the .xlsx file extension for Excel spreadsheets. Because business professionals regularly exchange spreadsheet files, many Excel users have encountered problems opening .xlsx files from their colleagues. This is because the new Excel 2007 file extension isn’t readily opened in earlier versions of Excel. If you have an older version of Excel and have received a spreadsheet with the new Excel 2007 file extension, you’re not necessarily out of luck. Here’s how to open .xlsx files without having to upgrade to the 2007 edition of Microsoft Office.

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.

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.

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.