---
title: ".xlsm file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .xlsm file is an Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook. An Excel workbook that contains VBA macros — and therefore executable code. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsm/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .xlsm files

**.xlsm file: Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook**

An Excel workbook that contains VBA macros — and therefore executable code.

## What opens a .xlsm file

- **Windows:** Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc (macros may not run), WPS Office
- **macOS:** Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc (macros may not run)
- **Linux:** LibreOffice Calc (macros may not run), OnlyOffice

## What a .xlsm file is

XLSM is XLSX with a macro project inside. Excel opens it with macros disabled and a yellow "Enable Content" bar, and that bar is the whole point: enabling macros in a file from an unknown sender runs their code on your machine. Legitimate uses are everywhere in finance and reporting; LibreOffice Calc opens the sheets fine but will not run VBA reliably.

## Converting it

A .xlsm file is commonly converted to .xlsx, .csv, .pdf or .ods. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .xlsm
- **Full name:** Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.ms-excel.sheet.macroEnabled.12
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .xlsm file?

On Windows use Microsoft Excel; on macOS use Microsoft Excel; on Linux use LibreOffice Calc (macros may not run). An Excel workbook that contains VBA macros — and therefore executable code.

### What is a .xlsm file?

Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook. XLSM is XLSX with a macro project inside. Excel opens it with macros disabled and a yellow "Enable Content" bar, and that bar is the whole point: enabling macros in a file from an unknown sender runs their code on your machine.

### Can I convert a .xlsm file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .xlsx, .csv, .pdf or .ods, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)