Public Schedule Face-to-Face & Online Instructor-Led Training - View dates & book

STL - Formerly Best Training Solutions Through Learning
TrustPilot
Excellent
Request Callback We will call you back
0207 987 3777 Call for assistance
Your Basket Basket is empty
xlsm vs xlsb

Forum home » Delegate support and help forum » Microsoft Excel Training and help » .xlsm vs .xlsb

.xlsm vs .xlsb

ResolvedVersion 2010
Edited on Fri 6 May 2011, 15:02

mark has attended:
Excel VBA Intro Intermediate course

.xlsm vs .xlsb

Hello,

I recently discovered the possibility to save Excel files as .xlsb format, and saving my .xlsx and .xlsm files as .xlsb seems to have reduced both the files' load-up speed and file size.

I use both non-macro and macro enabled files extensively and was wondering if there were any possible drawbacks to converting all the .xlsx and .xlsm files to .xlsb, other than having to edit vba code when these files are referenced.

I have just upgraded to Office 2010, having used Office 2007 before this.

Thanks

RE: .xlsm vs .xlsb

Hi Mark, thanks for your query. I know of no reason why you shouldn't convert the lot to .xlsb files, particularly if you are throwing around a lot of code and data. You might get some slight speed and filesize improvements because there isn't any bundled xml for Excel to parse on file open. The .xlsm format is Microsoft's response to the security issues thrown up by use of the macro recorder, but if you find the separation into .xlsx and .xlsm formats tedious go ahead and resave as .xlsb. I probably would if I was doing a lot of development work.

Hope this helps,

Anthony

RE: .xlsm vs .xlsb

Thanks Anthony.

Sun 15 May 2011: Automatically marked as resolved.

Please browse our web site to find out more about
excel consulting and other training courses.

Excel tip:

Changing Excel file and worksheet defaults

The appearance of any new Excel files or any new worksheets that are inserted into a file are controlled by two template files, Book.xlt and Sheet.xlt.

By opening, modifying and saving these templates you can change the default settings for all new files and/or all newly inserted sheets.

Use Book.xlt to make change to defaults for new workbooks; and Sheet.xlt to change defaults for sheets.

If you can't find either of these files on your computer, you can create and save them yourself.

You can do this simply by creating a new workbook with the setting you want to use as your defaults; then saving them with the appropriate name in the XLStart folder. If you are using Office 2003, this is usually found in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\XLStart.

View all Excel hints and tips

TrustPilot
TrustScore 4.9 / 5       2394 reviews

Connect with us:

0207 987 3777

Call for assistance

Request Callback

We will call you back

STL training logo

Formerly Best Training
© 2025 STL. All Rights Reserved.
All prices offered for business users and exclude VAT. E&OE

2nd Floor, CA House, 1 Northey Street, Limehouse Basin, London, E14 8BT, United Kingdom.

Verified by Visa
Security verified
Microsoft Partner
Terms & Conditions Privacy & Cookie Policy Consent preferences
Server loaded in 0.09 secs.