Excel File Security Explained: XLSX, XLSM, and Macro Risks
Last Updated: 28 Sept, 2026
Excel File Security Explained: XLSX, XLSM, and Macro Risks For decades, Microsoft Excel has stood as the universal engine of business operations. It balances corporate budgets, visualizes complex data sets, tracks inventory, and powers analytical pipelines across virtually every industry.
Yet, that same computational flexibility makes spreadsheets an enduring favorite among cyber adversaries. Attackers have weaponized spreadsheets since the early days of macro viruses in the late 1990s.
XLS vs XLSX vs XLSM vs XLSB - Choosing the Right Spreadsheet Format
Last Updated: 10 July, 2026
Compare XLS vs XLSX vs XLSM vs XLSB: Which Excel File Format Should You Use? Microsoft Excel has been the industry standard for spreadsheets for decades, powering everything from personal budgeting to enterprise-level financial analysis. As Excel evolved, several spreadsheet formats emerged to address different needs, including compatibility, storage efficiency, performance, and automation.
Today, users often encounter four major Excel file formats: XLS, XLSX, XLSM, and XLSB.