.xlsb
XLSB files: what they are and how to open them
An XLSB is an Excel workbook saved in Microsoft’s binary format. Open it offline on Android or Windows in Universal File Opener, without Excel, with sheets, merged cells and stored formula results. Reading is free.
Check your XLSB file here
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What is an XLSB file?
Excel Binary Workbook holds the same sheets as XLSX but stores them in a compact binary form that opens and saves faster. People pick it for very large workbooks and for reports saved by other tools, so an XLSB often arrives from a colleague or a data export.
Many spreadsheet importers and viewers read XLSX and skip XLSB. Excel and LibreOffice Calc open it. Universal File Opener shows the cells as last calculated and does not run the workbook.
What is inside
An XLSB is the same kind of ZIP package as an XLSX, but its main parts hold binary records instead of XML: workbook.bin, one .bin file per sheet and a shared strings file. A workbook with macros keeps them in a vbaProject.bin part.
Universal File Opener reads stored formula results, shared and inline text, booleans, errors, number and date formats, merged cells and column widths. Charts, drawings, macros and defined names are left out, and formulas are never recalculated. Workbooks beyond the reader’s limits are refused whole.
report.xlsba ZIP package (PK)├─ xl/workbook.binthe list of sheets├─ xl/worksheets/sheet1.bin: cells as binary records├─ xl/sharedStrings.bintext used in cells└─ xl/styles.binnumber formats and stylesHow to open an XLSB file
Windows
- Microsoft ExcelPaid, part of Microsoft 365 and Office. Opens and edits XLSB with formulas and charts.
- LibreOffice CalcFree. Imports XLSB; check formulas and formatting after opening.
- Universal File Opener for WindowsOursReads the sheets offline as a grid with stored results, and lets you search and copy. Read only.
Mac
- Microsoft Excel for MacPaid. Opens XLSB workbooks.
- LibreOffice CalcFree. Imports XLSB workbooks.
Android
- Universal File OpenerOursReads the sheets offline as a grid with stored results. Free to open; a values-only XLSX copy needs Pro.
In a browser
- Excel for the webOpens and edits XLSB workbooks stored in OneDrive. Macros do not run there.
Won’t open?
A spreadsheet app or importer rejects it
Many tools read XLSX only. Open the XLSB in Universal File Opener or Excel, or ask for an XLSX or CSV save.
Formulas show numbers instead
The apps show the results saved in the file and do not recalculate. Open the workbook in Excel to see the formulas.
Charts, macros or names are gone
The apps leave out charts, drawings, macros and defined names. Macros never run.
The app refuses the workbook
Workbooks beyond the reader’s limits, or with unsupported short-cell encodings, are refused whole. Save an XLSX copy in Excel.
It asks for a password
A workbook protected with a password opens read only once you enter it. Without the password it cannot be read.
Convert an XLSB file
- To XLSX, values onlyOpen the workbook in Universal File Opener and use Convert; saving the copy needs Pro. The copy keeps sheets, visibility and the values, with no formulas.
- To XLSX with formulasIn Excel choose File, Save As and pick Excel Workbook (*.xlsx). Check macros first: XLSX cannot hold them.
XLSB files in our apps
Universal File Opener reads XLSB workbooks offline on Android and Windows as a grid with stored formula results, number and date formats and merged cells. A values-only XLSX copy needs Pro. Files are read only.
All Android tools and limits for XLSB files
- Shows sheets with stored formula results, number and date formats, merged cells and column widths. Password-protected workbooks open read only with the password.
Limits
- Formulas are never recalculated. Charts, macros, defined names and other formatting are left out.
- Workbooks beyond the reader's limits are refused whole.
- The XLSX copy holds values only and needs Pro.