XLSM File Extension

Excel Open XML Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet

File Type xlsm
Developer Microsoft
Popularity
4.7 (39 votes)
Application Microsoft Excel
Category Spreadsheet Files, Data Files
Format Zip

What is a XLSM file?

Excel Open XML Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet works with the XLSM file extension and is classified under Spreadsheet Files and Data Files, with a total of 6309 files.

With the creation of the Excel Open XML Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet (XLSM), Microsoft introduced file format along with 242 programs built for their use.

XLSM file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS and Linux. You can open a XLSM file using one of 5 programs, for example Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc and Corel Quattro Pro.

MIME types

application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet

Windows

Mac OS

Linux

How to open a XLSM file?

The most common reason why a XLSM file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.

Thanks to their popularity, Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc and Corel Quattro Pro are often the go-to programs for managing XLSM files. To install the updated version of Microsoft Excel, simply go to the Microsoft site and download the installer compatible with all major platforms.

Once setup is done, your operating system should assign Microsoft Excel as the default app for XLSM files.

Setting Microsoft Excel as default XLSM viewer

Change the default app for a file type in Mac

Initiate a right click or use Control + left click on the desired XLSM file to open a menu where you can select various actions;
Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to Microsoft Excel. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

Change a default app in Windows

Start the process by right-clicking on your XLSM file and selecting "Open With". From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
Choose Microsoft Excel from the available applications listed in the pop-up window to set it as the default application to open your XLSM file;
Be sure to check the "Always use this app" checkbox, and then click "OK" to confirm your selection.

Tips and tricks to solve problems with XLSM files

If you encounter issues with XLSM files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.

Why does Microsoft Excel stop responding or crash intermittently?

Lack of regular software updates can cause Microsoft Excel to crash. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Microsoft products.

Restarting your computer is an essential troubleshooting step that can resolve many common problems. It is recommended to restart your computer before making any changes to the software settings.

What are the best practices for repairing a XLSM file that has gone bad?

Start a recovery program, open the damaged XLSM file and then select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair procedure. Allow the recovery process to complete, which will automatically repair the damaged spreadsheet files.

How can I confirm if my XLSM file has been damaged?

Characteristics of corrupted XLSM spreadsheet files can include:

Editing the archive in Microsoft Excel is hampered by poor overall performance;
Microsoft Excel or other programs stop responding or crash when trying to handle the file;
When opening the file, errors occur or the inability to access its contents;
Unexplained XLSM file size inflation;
The file operation is accompanied by the display of error messages;

How to edit a XLSM file?

To modify XLSM files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit spreadsheet files. Online XLSM editors are more restricted compared to software designed for Excel Open XML Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet.

Best XLSM Editor Software in 2026

Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended XLSM editors.

XLSM Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
Microsoft Excel	Microsoft	Windows, Mac OS, Apple iOS, Android	4.7 out of 5 (37 reviews)
OpenOffice Calc	OpenOffice	Windows, Mac OS, Linux	4.6 out of 5 (44 reviews)
Corel Quattro Pro	Corel	Windows	4.4 out of 5 (40 reviews)

Convert files to and from XLSM

If obstacles arise while working with a XLSM file, you may convert it to formats like CSV, XLS, OFX, XLSX, MDB or other similar types for smoother handling.

After converting a XLSM file, some capabilities may be limited, but you can often convert it back to the original format.

Microsoft Excel, Corel Quattro Pro and OpenOffice Calc are offline tools that convert XLSM files to other formats seamlessly and without quality loss.