Excel Vs Excel Binary

Should you save your file as .xlsx or .xlsb? This guide explains the differences, with examples, downloadable templates, and VBA code.

Table of Contents

What is the Difference?

.xlsx is XML-based, compressed, and widely compatible. .xlsb is binary, faster, and often smaller but less compatible with non-Excel tools.

Quick Comparison

Feature	.xlsx	.xlsb
File Size	Larger	Smaller (often 1/3 smaller)
Speed	Slower on large files	Faster open/save
Macro Support	.xlsm needed for macros	Supports VBA macros
Compatibility	Excellent across platforms	Limited to Excel
Recovery	Easier to salvage	Harder to recover if corrupted

Use Cases

Basic workbooks: Use .xlsx for sharing and compatibility.
Large datasets with automation: Use .xlsb for speed and size savings.
Macro-heavy automation: .xlsb is preferred for VBA-driven workflows.

Download Templates

Download Basic Template (.xlsx)

Download Advanced Template (.xlsb inside ZIP) (Unzip to use)

Example VBA Code

' Toggle row highlight
Sub ToggleHighlight()
    Dim r As Range
    Set r = ActiveCell.EntireRow
    If r.Interior.Color = vbGreen Then
        r.Interior.Color = xlNone
    Else
        r.Interior.Color = vbGreen
    End If
End Sub

' Import CSV into workbook
Sub ImportCSV()
    Dim f As String
    f = Application.GetOpenFilename("CSV Files (*.csv),*.csv")
    If f = "False" Then Exit Sub
    Workbooks.Open f
    ActiveSheet.Copy After:=ThisWorkbook.Sheets(ThisWorkbook.Sheets.Count)
    ActiveWorkbook.Close False
End Sub

GIF Demonstration

Watch the feature in action:

Summary

Use .xlsx for sharing and compatibility. Choose .xlsb for large, macro-heavy workbooks where speed and size matter. Always keep backups!