Open XML Formats are the new default file formats for Word 2008, Excel 2008, and PowerPoint 2008. They are also the default file formats for the 2007 Microsoft Office system for the Windows operating system. The new formats create smaller files that take up less space than the previous formats, and they also make it easier to recover damaged files and share files.
For more information about how to open a file that is in a different file format, see Open a file that is in a different format in Word 2008 Help. For more information about how to save a file to a different file format, see Save a document in a different format in Word 2008 Help.
The default Open XML file name extensions for Office 2008 include the following:
Application | File Type | File Name Extension | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
PowerPoint 2008 | PowerPoint Presentation | .pptx | The default, XML-based presentation format for PowerPoint 2008 for Mac and PowerPoint 2007 for Windows. Cannot store VBA macro code. |
PowerPoint 2008 | PowerPoint Template | .potx | Saves the presentation as an XML-based template that you can use to start new presentations. Saves presentation settings such as fonts, color schemes, slide layouts, and graphics. Cannot store VBA macro code. |
PowerPoint 2008 | PowerPoint Show | .ppsx | Saves as an XML-based presentation that always opens in slide show view. Compatible with PowerPoint 2008 for Mac and PowerPoint 2007 for Windows. |
PowerPoint 2008 | PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Presentation | .pptm | The XML-based presentation format that preserves VBA macro code. VBA macros do not run in PowerPoint 2008. |
PowerPoint 2008 | PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Template | .potm | Saves the presentation as an XML-based template that preserves VBA macro code. Saves presentation settings such as fonts, color schemes, slide layouts, and graphics. VBA macros do not run in PowerPoint 2008. |
PowerPoint 2008 | PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Show | .ppsm | The XML-based presentation format that always opens in slide show view and preserves VBA macro code. VBA macros do not run in PowerPoint 2008. |
PowerPoint 2008, Excel 2008, Word 2008 | Office Theme | .thmx | Saves the font, color scheme, and background of the file for you to use as a new theme. |
Excel 2008 | Excel Workbook | .xlsx | The default, XML-based workbook format for Microsoft Excel 2008 for Mac and Excel 2007 for Windows. Cannot store VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets. |
Excel 2008 | Excel Template | .xltx | Saves the workbook as an XML-based template that you can use to start new workbooks. Saves settings such as formatting, headings, formulas, and custom toolbars. Cannot store VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets. |
Excel 2008 | Excel Binary Workbook | .xlsb | Stores data in binary format. Takes less time to save, and helps keep sensitive data more secure. Preserves VBA macro code and Excel 4.0 macro sheets. VBA macros do not run in Excel 2008. |
Excel 2008 | Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook | .xlsm | The XML-based workbook format for Microsoft Excel 2008 for Mac and Excel 2007 for Windows that preserves VBA macro code and Excel 4.0 macro sheets. VBA macros do not run in Excel 2008. |
Excel 2008 | Excel Macro-Enabled Template | .xltm | Saves the workbook as an XML-based template that preserves VBA macro code and Excel 4.0 macro sheets. VBA macros do not run in Excel 2008. |
Excel 2008 | Excel Add‑In | .xlam | Saves the active sheet as an XML-based add-in, a supplemental program that is designed to run additional code. Preserves VBA macro code and Excel 4.0 macro sheets. VBA macros do not run in Excel 2008. |
Word 2008 | Word Document | .docx | The default, XML-based document format for Word 2008 for Mac and Word 2007 for Windows. |
Word 2008 | Word Template | .dotx | Saves the document as an XML-based template that you can use to start new documents. Saves document content and settings such as styles, page layout, AutoText entries, custom keyboard shortcut assignments, and menus. |
Word 2008 | Word Macro-Enabled Document | .docm | The XML-based document format that preserves VBA macro code. VBA macros do not run in Word 2008. |
Word 2008 | Word Macro-Enabled Template | .dotm | Saves the document as an XML-based template that preserves VBA macro code. VBA macros do not run in Word 2008. |
