Learn more about different spreadsheet formats and file extensions, used to display and work with data. Spreadsheet file types are useful for managing, processing and organising large quantities of data, making them very popular as administrative tools - and common for both business and personal purposes.
Spreadsheet files are digital files containing information organised in ‘tabular form’. This typically means that data is organised in cells within rows and columns. Different types of spreadsheet file are often used to store and analyse numerical data - but they can contain various data elements, including text and media.
But they can also be used to track data, create graphical representations and perform mathematical operations for highly informative reports. You can apply formulas to develop complex databases.
Developed as early as 1979 (with VisiCalc for the Apple 2), spreadsheet formats have become pivotal across many different industries and companies. Indeed, certain spreadsheet file extensions act as a widely used standard for data management across all kinds of businesses.
Based on a database system that contains multiple spreadsheets (also known as worksheets), this file type has a huge variety of uses across different industries.
Common examples include:
From simple food shops organising their supplies, to complex manifests and data pre-sets in major financial and business ventures, the potential uses of spreadsheet formats are huge. That’s why this class of file types remains one of the most fundamental within computing.
By using Adobe's collection of free online tools.
There are various types of spreadsheet file available, each with their own features and functionalities:
Other extensions include:
Learn more about different types of document files with Adobe today.
Spreadsheets have helped advance the popularity and importance of computing in both the personal and business world. But like any other kind of software, they have their pros and cons.
Advantages.
Disadvantages.
Many different types of file can be transformed into a secure, highly shareable PDF, using Adobe’s free online PDF converter tool.
It is also easy to convert an XLS or XLSX document using the convert Excel to PDF tool.
Simply:
If your chosen spreadsheet format isn’t compatible with the tool in its current form, you can convert it to a compatible format first, before using the free online tool.
Find out more about other document files and types of text files, with Adobe.
File types such as .XLSX, .XLS and .ODS are very popular spreadsheet formats, commonly used for opening and storing spreadsheet data across a variety of devices. Each spreadsheet file extension comes with its own perks and trade-offs, so it’s a good idea to research what tool would suit your specific needs.
Yes. As PDF documents are a popular, global document format, they allow simple conversion to spreadsheet formats such as Microsoft Excel. There’s no need to use third-party apps either, as Adobe has simple guides and tools to use. Find out how to convert PDF to Excel with Adobe Acrobat today.
The .XLS format was the original Excel format until the release of Microsoft Office 2007. Although it is still part of the Microsoft suite of tools, it is now a legacy extension. The Excel format is now identified with the .XLSX spreadsheet file extension.
No, you don’t. Although the Microsoft suite of tools is a paid programme, the .XLSX format is accessible with the use of free compatible software such as Google sheets, OpenOffice or Excel Viewer.
Developed using the text file format, the .CSV spreadsheet file type is widely considered to be the most basic spreadsheet type. Due to its simplicity, it can be easily read by machines and people alike. However, it is quite limited in its feature set - and can only handle one sheet per file.
There are a range of programmes out there that you can use to access spreadsheet formats. These include:
Each should be able to handle a range of spreadsheet files and offer different functions.
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