XLSM, Excel Open XML Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet (.xlsm)

The XLSM Spreadsheet file format

XLSM is the file extension that is assigned to spreadsheets created by Microsoft Excel 2007 and newer. They are saved using the Open XML standard. Just like older version of the Excel spreadsheet, XLSM files can contain tables and worksheets. On top, XLSM files are macro-enabled. They can contain embedded macros that use VBA.

Technical details of XLSM files

As stated above, XLSM files are macro-enabled. This distinguishes the format from XLSX files that are also created by Microsoft Excel. Thus, for Excel to be able to execute the macros embedded in the file, the spreadsheet has to be saved in the XSLM format rather than as a XLSX file. Predecessors of Microsoft Excel 2007 are only able to open XLSM files if they support Open XML components.

More information about the XLSM file format

File extension	.xlsm
File category	Spreadsheet
Associated programs	Corel Quattro Pro X7 Microsoft Excel 2016 MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro
Useful links	More information about XLSM
Developer	Microsoft