How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?

For a list of file formats (also called file types) you can (and can’t) open or save in Excel 2022, run into File formats that are supported in Excel at the terminate of this article.

  1. Open the workbook you want to relieve.

  2. Click
    File
    >
    Save As.

    How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?

  3. Nether
    Places, pick the place where you want to salvage the workbook. For example, pick
    OneDrive
    to save it to your Web location or
    Computer
    to save it in a local folder like your
    Documents.

    How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?

  4. In the
    Save Every bit
    dialog box, navigate to the location you want.

    How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?

  5. In the
    Relieve every bit type
    list, click the file format y’all want. Click the arrows to scroll to file formats that aren’t visible in the list.

    Note:The file formats you’ll encounter vary, depending on what type of sail is active in your workbook (a worksheet, chart sheet, or other type of sheet).

  6. In the
    File name
    box, accept the suggested name or type a new proper name for the workbook.

If you opened an Excel 97-2003 workbook but don’t need to continue information technology in that file format, but convert information technology to the electric current file format (.xlsx).

  1. Click
    File
    >
    Info.

  2. Click
    Convert.

How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?

In Excel 2022, yous tin can open and save files in the following file formats:

Excel file formats

Format

Extension

Description

Excel Workbook

.xlsx

The default XML-based file format for Excel 2007-2013. Cannot store Microsoft Visual Bones for Applications (VBA) macro code or Microsoft Role Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm).

Strict Open XML Spreadsheet

.xlsx

An ISO strict version of the Excel Workbook file format (.xlsx).

Excel Workbook (code)

.xlsm

The XML-based and macro-enabled file format for Excel 2007-2013. Stores VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm).

Excel Binary Workbook

.xlsb

The binary file format (BIFF12) for Excel 2007-2013.

Template

.xltx

The default file format for an Excel template for Excel 2007-2013. Cannot store VBA macro lawmaking or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm).

Template (lawmaking)

.xltm

The macro-enabled file format for an Excel template in Excel 2007-2013. Stores VBA macro code or Excel iv.0 macro sheets (.xlm).

Excel 97- Excel 2003 Workbook

.xls

The Excel 97 – Excel 2003 Binary file format (BIFF8).

Excel 97- Excel 2003 Template

.xlt

The Excel 97 – Excel 2003 Binary file format (BIFF8) for an Excel template.

Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook

.xls

The Excel v.0/95 Binary file format (BIFF5).

XML Spreadsheet 2003

.xml

XML Spreadsheet 2003 file format (XMLSS).

XML Information

.xml

XML Data format.

Excel Add-In

.xlam

The XML-based and macro-enabled Add-In format for Excel 2007-2013. An Add-In is a supplemental program that is designed to run additional code. Supports the use of VBA projects and Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm).

Excel 97-2003 Add-In

.xla

The Excel 97-2003 Add together-In, a supplemental program that is designed to run boosted code. Supports the apply of VBA projects.

Excel 4.0 Workbook

.xlw

An Excel iv.0 file format that saves only worksheets, chart sheets, and macro sheets. You tin open a workbook in this file format in Excel 2022, but you lot cannot relieve an Excel file to this file format.

Text file formats

Format

Extension

Clarification

Formatted Text (Infinite-delimited)

.prn

Lotus space-delimited format. Saves merely the active sheet.

Text (Tab-delimited)

.txt

Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on another Microsoft Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active canvass.

Text (Macintosh)

.txt

Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet.

Text (MS-DOS)

.txt

Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves just the active sheet.

Unicode Text

.txt

Saves a workbook equally Unicode text, a character encoding standard that was developed by the Unicode Consortium.

CSV (comma delimited)

.csv

Saves a workbook every bit a comma-delimited text file for employ on another Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves merely the active sheet.

CSV (Macintosh)

.csv

Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves just the agile canvass.

CSV (MS-DOS)

.csv

Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves just the active sail.

DIF

.dif

Data Interchange Format. Saves merely the active canvass.

SYLK

.slk

Symbolic Link Format. Saves just the active sail.

Notation:If you relieve a workbook in any text format, all formatting is lost.

Other file formats

Format

Extension

Clarification

DBF 3, DBF iv

.dbf

dBase III and 4. You tin can open up these files formats in Excel, just you cannot save an Excel file to dBase format.

OpenDocument Spreadsheet

.ods

OpenDocument Spreadsheet. You can save Excel 2010 files then they can be opened in spreadsheet applications that employ the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format, such equally Google Docs and OpenOffice.org Calc. You tin besides open spreadsheets in the .ods format in Excel 2010. Formatting might be lost when saving and opening .ods files.

PDF

.pdf

Portable Document Format (PDF). This file format preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the PDF format file is viewed online or printed, it retains the format that you intended. Data in the file cannot exist hands changed. The PDF format is likewise useful for documents that will be reproduced by using commercial printing methods.

XPS Certificate

.xps

XML Newspaper Specification (XPS). This file format preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the XPS file is viewed online or printed, it retains exactly the format that yous intended, and the data in the file cannot exist easily changed.

File formats that use the clipboard

If you copied information to the clipboard in ane of the following file formats, y’all can paste it into Excel using the
Paste
or
Paste Special
command (Home
>
Clipboard
>
Paste).

Format

Extension

Clipboard type identifiers

Moving-picture show

.wmf or .emf

Pictures in Windows Metafile Format (WMF) or Windows Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF).

Notation:If you lot copy a Windows metafile pic from another programme, Excel pastes the picture every bit an enhanced metafile.

Bitmap

.bmp

Pictures stored in Bitmap format (BMP).

Microsoft Excel file formats

.xls

Binary file formats for Excel versions v.0/95 (BIFF5), Excel 97-2003 (BIFF8), and Excel 2022 (BIFF12).

SYLK

.slk

Symbolic Link Format.

DIF

.dif

Data Interchange Format.

Text (tab-delimited)

.txt

Tab-separated text format.

CSV (Comma-delimited)

.csv

Comma-separated values format.

Formatted text (Space-delimited)

.rtf

Rich Text Format (RTF). Merely from Excel.

Embedded object

.gif, .jpg, .physician, .xls, or .bmp

Microsoft Excel objects, objects from properly registered programs that support OLE 2.0 (OwnerLink), and Picture show or another presentation format.

Linked object

.gif, .jpg, .doc, .xls, or .bmp

OwnerLink, ObjectLink, Link, Picture, or other format.

Part drawing object

.emf

Office drawing object format or Picture (Windows enhanced metafile format, EMF).

Text

.txt

Display Text, OEM Text.

Single File Spider web Page

.mht, .mhtml

Single File Web Page (MHT or MHTML). This file format integrates inline graphics, applets, linked documents, and other supporting items referenced in the document.

Web Page

.htm, .html

Hypertext Markup Linguistic communication (HTML).

Note:When you copy text from some other program, Excel pastes the text in HTML format, regardless of the format of the original text.

File formats that are non supported in Excel 2022

The following file formats are no longer supported, then you can’t open or save files in these file formats.

To piece of work with your workbook data in a program that isn’t supported anymore, endeavor the following:

  • Search the Web for a company that makes file format converters for file formats that aren’t supported in Excel.

  • Relieve your workbook to another file format that can be opened in the other program. For instance, save to an XML spreadsheet or text file format that the other program might back up as well.

Format

Extension

Clipboard type identifiers

Excel Chart

.xlc

Excel two.0, 3.0, and 2.x file formats

WK1, FMT, WK2, WK3, FM3, WK4

.wk1, .wk2, .wk3, .wk4, .wks

Lotus i-2-3 file formats (all versions)

Microsoft Works

.wks

Microsoft Works file format (all versions)

DBF two

.dbf

DBASE II file format

WQ1

.wq1

Quattro Pro for MS-DOS file format

WB1, WB3

.wb1, .wb3

Quattro Pro 5.0 and vii.0 for Windows.

You tin can salvage an Excel 2007 or later workbook in the file format of an earlier version of Excel, in a text file format, and in other file formats, such as PDF or XPS. By default, files are saved in the .xlsx file format, but you can change the default file format for saving. If you ofttimes use the
Salve As
command, you lot may want to add it to the Quick Access Toolbar.

Of import:If you relieve a workbook in a file format other than the current Excel file format, formats and features that are unique to Excel 2007 and afterwards will not be retained. For more information, see Utilise Excel with earlier versions of Excel.

  1. In Excel, open the workbook that yous want to salvage for use in another plan.

  2. On the
    File
    tab, click
    Save As.

  3. To relieve the workbook to a different location, specify the drive and location in the file path and folder boxes.

  4. In the
    File name
    box, take the suggested name or type a new name for the workbook.

  5. In the
    Save as type
    listing, click the format that yous know you can open up in the other program.

If needed, click the arrows to scroll to file formats that are non visible in the list.

Note:The file formats that are available vary, depending on what blazon of sheet is active (a worksheet, chart canvas, or other type of canvas).

Tip:For more than information on how to save a workbook in PDF (.pdf) or XPS (.xps) file formats, come across Salve as PDF or XPS.

You tin save any file format that you tin can open up in Excel 2007 and later in the current Excel Workbook file format (.xlsx). By doing this, you can use new features that are not supported past other file formats.

Note:When you save a workbook that was created in an before version of Excel as an Excel 2007 and later workbook, some formats and features may not be retained. For information on unsupported Excel 97-2003 features, see Use Excel with earlier versions of Excel.

  1. Open up the file that you desire to save in the electric current file format.

  2. On the
    File
    tab, click
    Relieve As.

  3. To save the file to a unlike location, specify the drive and location in the file path and folder boxes.

  4. In the
    File name
    box, take the suggested name or type a new name for the workbook.

  5. In the
    Save every bit type
    list, exercise one of the following:

    • If y’all are saving a workbook that was created in an earlier version of Excel, and the workbook contains macros that you lot want to retain, click
      Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm).

    • If y’all want to relieve the workbook as a template, click
      Excel Template (*.xltx).

    • If you are saving a workbook that was created in an earlier version of Excel, the workbook contains macros that you want to retain, and y’all want to save the workbook as a template, click
      Excel Macro-Enabled Template.xltm.

    • If y’all want to salve the workbook in the current Excel Workbook file format, click
      Excel Workbook (*.xlsx).

    • If you want to save the file in the new binary file format, click
      Excel Binary Workbook (*.xslb).

  6. Click
    Save.

You can change the file type that is used past default when you save a workbook.

  1. On the
    File
    tab, click
    Options.

  2. In the
    Salvage
    category, nether
    Salvage workbooks, in the
    Salvage files in this format
    box, click the file format that you want to employ by default.

The
Relieve As
control is not available as a button on the ribbon. Yous can, however, add the command to the Quick Access Toolbar.

  1. Click the dropdown arrow on the Quick Access Toolbar, and and so click
    More than Commands.

    How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?

  2. In the
    Cull commands from
    box, make sure that
    Popular Commands
    is selected.

  3. In the list box, curlicue to the
    Relieve Equally
    push button, and so select it.

  4. Click
    Add together.

You can save a Microsoft Part Excel 2007 workbook in a unlike file format. Yous tin can save a workbook in an earlier version file format, in text file format, and in other file formats, such as PDF or XPS. Yous tin also relieve any file format that yous can open in Function Excel 2007 as an Excel 2007 workbook. By default, Excel 2007 saves files in the .xlsx file format, but you tin modify the default file format for saving.

If you lot frequently use the
Save Every bit
command, y’all may desire to add it to the Quick Admission Toolbar.

Y’all can save whatever file format that you lot can open in Excel 2007 in the current Excel Workbook file format (.xlsx). Past doing this, you tin use the new features of Excel 2007, such as the larger filigree, that are non supported past other file formats.

Annotation:When you salvage a workbook that was created in an earlier version of Excel equally an Excel 2007 workbook, some formats and features may not be retained.

  1. Open the workbook that you lot want to salve as an Excel 2007 workbook.

  2. Click the
    Microsoft Office Button

    How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?
    , and then click
    Save Equally.

  3. In the
    File name
    box, accept the suggested name or type a new name for the workbook.

  4. In the
    Save as type
    list, practise ane of the following:

    • If you are saving a workbook that was created in an earlier version of Excel, and the workbook contains macros that y’all desire to retain, click .xlsm.

    • If you want to salvage the workbook as a template, click .xltx.

    • If yous are saving a workbook that was created in an earlier version of Excel, the workbook contains macros that you want to retain, and y’all want to salve the workbook equally a template, click .xltm.

    • If you desire to salve the workbook in the current Excel Workbook file format, click .xlsx.

    • If you want to salve the file in the new binary file format, click .xslb.

    • For more information about file formats, run into File formats that are supported in Excel.

  5. Click
    Salvage.

You can modify the file type that is used past default when you save a workbook.

  1. Click the
    Microsoft Part Button

    How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?
    , and then click
    Excel Options.

  2. In the
    Save
    category, nether
    Save workbooks, in the
    Save files in this format
    box, click the file format that you want to utilise by default.

The
Save Every bit
command is not bachelor every bit a button on the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface Ribbon. You can, however, add the command to the Quick Access Toolbar.

How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?

  1. Click the
    Microsoft Part Button

    How should you save a file if you want it to be compatible with older versions of microsoft excel?
    .

  2. Right-click
    Save As, and so click
    Add to Quick Admission Toolbar.

Which format should you use to save a file if you want it to be compatible with earlier versions of Microsoft Excel?

xlsm, . xltx, . xltm), the workbook is saved in Excel 97-2003 file format (. xls), a file format that can be opened by earlier versions of Excel.

How do I save an Excel file not in Compatibility Mode?

How to turn off Compatibility Mode.
Open Excel and either make a new document or open an existing one..
Click on the File menu..
Select Options from the left-side panel. This will open up a new window..
Navigate to the Save tab using the left-side menu..
Open the drop-down menu next to Save files in this format..

How do I open an older version of an Excel file?

Go to File > Info > Version History. Select a version to open it. If you want to restore a previous version you've opened, select Restore.

What does Excel Compatibility Mode mean?

After you save a workbook in an older format, Excel runs in Compatibility Mode. In this mode, you can't use any newer functionality that your newer Excel version provides. This ensures that you do not add enhanced features to the document that people using an older Excel version cannot view.