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You can open an XLSX file with Microsoft Excel (desktop, web, or mobile), Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc. Which one fits depends on your device, whether you want a browser or an installed program, and how much Excel-specific behavior the workbook depends on.
Check that the file really is an XLSX workbook
Before choosing an application, confirm the file type. A workbook saved as XLSX ends in .xlsx. Older Excel files end in .xls, macro-enabled workbooks end in .xlsm, and plain text exports end in .csv. A file renamed from one of these to .xlsx will fail to open or open with errors.
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- Windows: In File Explorer, open the View tab, choose Show, and tick File name extensions.
- Mac: In Finder, open Settings (or Preferences on older macOS), go to Advanced, and tick Show all filename extensions.
- Phone: Most phone file managers show the full name when you open the file details. If the name ends in something other than .xlsx, use the matching application.
Options at a glance
| Option | Device | XLSX support (per the vendor) | Macros | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Excel (desktop) | Windows, Mac | Native format | Runs macros in XLSM files | Workbooks built for Excel, or any file that relies on Excel-specific behavior |
| Excel for the web | Any modern browser | Listed as supported by Microsoft | Macros do not run in the browser (Microsoft says this for XLSM workbooks) | Viewing or light editing without installing software |
| Excel mobile app | Android, iPhone, iPad | Listed as supported for opening and editing | Not stated in the Microsoft mobile page reviewed | Reading and editing on a phone or tablet while using Excel |
| Google Sheets (app or browser) | Android, iPhone, iPad, any browser | Google states it can open and edit XLSX on Android and iPhone/iPad | Not stated | Shared files, collaboration, and no-cost use without Microsoft software |
| LibreOffice Calc | Windows, Mac, Linux (desktop) | Listed in the Getting Started Guide 26.2 as supported by Calc | Not stated in the guide reviewed | A free, locally installed alternative when you do not want a browser or a Microsoft account |
The table reflects what each vendor’s documentation says it supports. None of these pages promises that every formatting detail, chart, or add-in will carry over unchanged.
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Excel is the most faithful choice when the workbook came from Excel or uses features you cannot afford to lose. Microsoft lists .xlsx among supported formats in Excel for the web and in its mobile Excel support pages.
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- Start Excel on your computer, or open the Excel app on your phone or tablet.
- Choose Open and select the file from your device or cloud storage.
- Alternatively, right-click the file on a desktop, choose Open with, and select Excel.
Excel for the web
Excel for the web runs in a browser and needs no installation. Microsoft’s “Differences between using a workbook in the browser and in Excel” page makes the core point clearly: “Excel for the web looks a lot like the Excel desktop app. However, there are some differences to be aware of.” Check Microsoft’s current sign-in and account requirements before you rely on the browser version, because those requirements change and were not verified for this guide.
Excel mobile app
On a phone or tablet, Microsoft’s mobile support page lists XLSX as supported for opening and editing. Small screens make dense sheets harder to read, so a desktop is more comfortable for large or heavily formatted workbooks.
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Open the file in Google Sheets
Google Sheets can open and edit XLSX files on Android and on iPhone and iPad, and it runs in any browser. Google’s help pages for each platform are the authoritative references.
- Upload the file to Google Drive, or open it from the Files or Drive app on your phone.
- Open the file. Google converts it to a Sheets file that you can view and edit.
- Use File and then Download if you need to save an XLSX copy again.
Google’s Android help warns that a file that opens in a desktop browser can still fail on a phone, depending on available memory and system resources. If a large workbook will not load on mobile, move to a desktop browser before assuming the file is damaged.
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Open the file in LibreOffice Calc
LibreOffice is a free, locally installed office suite. Its Getting Started Guide 26.2 lists Microsoft Excel 2007–365 XML (.xlsx) among the formats Calc supports. The guide confirms format support; it does not promise that every chart, conditional format, or macro-free feature will look identical to Excel.
- Start LibreOffice and open Calc, the spreadsheet module.
- Choose File, then Open, and select the .xlsx file.
- Or right-click the file in your file manager, choose Open with, and select LibreOffice Calc.
Which option to choose
- Choose Excel if the workbook was made in Excel, uses macros, or depends on Excel-specific behavior. On a desktop, that means desktop Excel.
- Choose Excel for the web for quick viewing or edits on a computer you do not control, provided you accept that some features behave differently in the browser.
- Choose Google Sheets for shared files and phone access without Microsoft software.
- Choose LibreOffice Calc for a free desktop application that runs locally.
Protect the original before editing
Any application can change a workbook when it saves it, including formulas, number formats, and layout. Duplicate the file first, edit the copy, and check formulas and output before you overwrite or share it. Converting an XLSX to OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods) can cause formatting loss, according to Microsoft’s file format reference, so avoid that conversion unless you need it.
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Troubleshooting when a file will not open
- Wrong extension: Confirm the file ends in .xlsx. Rename only if you know the true format; a renamed CSV or XLS will not behave as an XLSX.
- Large file on a phone: Open it on a desktop browser or desktop application instead.
- Browser version fails: Try the desktop application of the same vendor, or a different application altogether.
- Macros or Excel-only features missing: Use desktop Excel. Macros in XLSM workbooks do not run in Excel for the web.
- Error message on every application: Note the exact wording and the device, then compare it with the vendor’s support pages. The sources reviewed for this guide do not establish fixes for password-protected, corrupted, or blocked files, so no single recovery sequence can be recommended for those cases.
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The Bottom Line
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