Word > File management

Open XML Formats and file name extensions

Microsoft Office 2010 continues the use of the XML-based file formats, such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx,

introduced in the 2007 Microsoft Office system. These formats and file name extensions apply to Microsoft

Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010. This article discusses key benefits of

the format, describes the file name extensions , and discusses how you can share Office 2010 files with

people who are using earlier versions of Office.

In this article

What are the benefits of Open XML Formats?

What are the XML file name extensions?

Can different versions of Office share the same files?

What are the benefits of Open XML Formats?

The Open XML Formats include many benefits — not only for developers and the solutions that they build,

but also for individual people and organizations of all sizes:

Compact files Files are automatically compressed and can be up to 75 percent smaller in some

cases. The Open XML Format uses zip compression technology to store documents, offering

potential cost savings as it reduces the disk space required to store files and decreases the

bandwidth needed to send files via e-mail, over networks, and across the Internet. When you

open a file, it is automatically unzipped. When you save a file, it is automatically zipped again.

You do not have to install any special zip utilities to open and close files in Office 2010.

Improved damaged-file recovery Files are structured in a modular fashion that keeps different

data components in the file separate from each other. This allows files to be opened even if a

component within the file (for example, a chart or table) is damaged or corrupted.

Better privacy and more control over personal information Documents can be shared

confidentially, because personally identifiable information and business-sensitive information,

such as author names, comments, tracked changes, and file paths can be easily identified and

removed by using Document Inspector. For details, see Remove hidden data and personal

information from Office documents.

data interoperability framework for the Office 2010 set of products means that documents,

worksheets, presentations, and forms can be saved in an XML file format that is freely available

for anyone to use and to license, royalty free. Office also supports customer-defined XML

Schemas that enhance the existing Office document types. This means that customers can easily

unlock information in existing systems and act upon it in familiar Office programs. Information that

is created within Office can be easily used by other business applications. All you need to open

and edit an Office file is a ZIP utility and an XML editor.

Easier detection of documents that contain macros Files that are saved by using the default

"x" suffix (such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx) cannot contain Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

macros and XLM macros. Only files whose file name extension ends with an "m" (such as .docm,

.xlsm, and .pptm) can contain macros.

Before you decide to save the file in a binary format, read Can different versions of Office share the same

files?

Top of Page

What are the XML file name extensions?

By default, documents, worksheets, and presentations that you create in Office 2010 are saved in XML

format with file name extensions that add an "x" or an "m" to the file name extensions that you are already

familiar with. The "x" signifies an XML file that has no macros, and the "m" signifies an XML file that does

contain macros. For example, when you save a document in Word, the file now uses the .docx file name

extension by default, instead of the .doc file name extension.

When you save a file as a template, you see the same kind of change. The template extension used in

earlier versions is there, but it now has an "x" or an "m" on the end. If the file contains code or macros, you
must save it by using the new macro-enabled XML file format, which adds an "m" for macro to the file

extension.

The following tables list all the default file name extensions in Word 2010, Excel 2010, and PowerPoint

2010.

WORD
XML file type Extension

Document .docx

Macro-enabled document .docm

Template .dotx

Macro-enabled template .dotm

EXCEL
XML file type Extension

Workbook .xlsx

Macro-enabled workbook .xlsm

Template .xltx

Macro-enabled template .xltm

Non-XML binary workbook .xlsb

Macro-enabled add-in .xlam

POWERPOINT
XML file type Extension

Presentation .pptx

Macro-enabled presentation .pptm

Template .potx

Macro-enabled template .potm

Macro-enabled add-in .ppam

Show .ppsx

Macro-enabled show .ppsm

Macro-enabled slide .sldm

Office theme .thmx

Top of Page

Can different versions of Office share the same files?

Office 2010 lets you save files in the Open XML Formats and in the binary file format of earlier versions of

Office, and includes compatibility checkers and file converters to allow file-sharing between different

versions of Office.

Opening existing files in Office 2010 You can open and work on a file that was created in an earlier

version of Office, and then save it in its existing format. Because you might be working on a document with

someone who uses an earlier version of Office, Office 2010 uses a compatibility checker that verifies that

you have not introduced a feature that an earlier version of Office does not support. When you save the file,

the compatibility checker reports those features to you and then lets you remove them before continuing

with the save.

Opening Office 2010 files in earlier versions of Office You can open and change an Office 2010 file in

Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint 2003 by downloading the necessary file converters. On the computer

that uses an earlier version of Office, go to the Download Center and download the Microsoft Office

Compatibility Pack for 2007 Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint File Formats.

IMPORTANT For the converters to work, the earlier version of Microsoft Office must first be updated to one

of the service packs listed here. After you have installed the service pack for your version of Office,

download the converter.

Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3

Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3

Microsoft Office 2003 Service Pack 1

Top of Page