File formats supported in Office 2010
Applies to: Office 2010
Topic Last Modified: 2011-05-18
Supported and unsupported file formats and their extensions are listed in the following tables for Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010. This article also provides information about other kinds of supported and unsupported file formats.
In this article:
File formats that are supported in Word 2010
File formats that are supported in Excel 2010
File formats that are supported in PowerPoint 2010
Additional file format information
File formats that are supported in Word 2010
The following table describes the file formats that are supported in Word 2010, alphabetized by extension.
| Extension | Name of file format | Description |
|---|---|---|
.doc |
Word 97–2003 Document |
The binary file format for Word 97–2003. |
.docm |
Word Macro-Enabled Document |
The XML-based and macro-enabled file format for Word 2010 and Office Word 2007. Stores Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro code. |
.docx |
Word Document |
The default XML-based file format for Word 2010 and Office Word 2007. |
.dot |
Word 97–2003 Template |
Template for Word 97–2003 files. |
.dotm |
Word Macro-Enabled Template |
Template for creating new Word 2010 and Office Word 2007 files that contain macros. If you want to include UI customizations or macros in the template, use this file format. |
.dotx |
Word Template |
Template for creating new Word 2010 and Office Word 2007 files that do not contain macros. |
.htm, .html |
Web Page |
A Web page that is saved as a folder that contains an .htm file and all supporting files, such as images, sound files, cascading style sheets, scripts, and more. Good for posting on a site or editing with Microsoft Office FrontPage or another HTML editor. |
.htm, .html |
Web Page, Filtered |
Saving in the Web Page, Filtered file format removes Microsoft Office-specific tags. If you save in filtered HTML and then re-open the file in an Office application, text and general appearance will be preserved. However, some features might work differently. |
.mht; .mhtml |
Single File Web Page |
A Web page as a single file that includes an .htm file and all supporting files, such as images, sound files, cascading style sheets, scripts, and more. |
.odt |
OpenDocument Text |
A file format for saving Word 2010 files so that they can be opened in document applications that use the OpenDocument format. You can also open documents in the .ods format in Word 2010. Formatting might be lost when users save and open .ods files. |
Portable Document Format (PDF), a PostScript-based electronic file format developed by Adobe Systems that preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. Files using the PDF file format can be saved but not opened by using Word 2010. |
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.rtf |
Rich Text Format |
RTF controls the representation and formatting of a document, both on the screen and in print. When they use the .rtf file format, documents created under different operating systems and with different software applications can be transferred between those operating systems and applications. |
.txt |
Plain Text |
When you save a Word 2010 document as a .txt file, you lose all formatting. |
.wps |
Works 6-9 Document |
This is the default file format of Microsoft Works, versions 6.0 through 9.0. |
.xml |
Word 2003 XML Document |
The XML format supported in Office Word 2003. |
.xml |
Word XML Document |
The XML file format supported in Word 2010 and Office Word 2007 (Open XML). |
.xps |
XPS Document |
XML Paper Specification, a file format that preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the XPS file is viewed online or printed, it keeps exactly the format that you intended, and the data in the file cannot be easily changed. Files using the XPS Document file format can be saved but not opened by using Word 2010. |
File formats that are supported in Excel 2010
The following tables describe the file formats that are supported in Excel 2010.
| Extension | Name of file format | Description |
|---|---|---|
.csv |
CSV (Comma delimited) |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on another Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
.csv |
CSV (Macintosh) |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
.csv |
CSV (MS-DOS) |
Saves a workbook as a comma-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
.dbf |
DBF 3, DBF 4 |
dBase III and IV. Users can open these files formats in Excel. However, users cannot save an Excel file to dBase format. |
.dif |
DIF (Data Interchange Format) |
Saves only the active sheet. |
.htm, .html |
Web Page |
A Web page that is saved as a folder that contains an .htm file and all supporting files, such as images, sound files, scripts, and more. |
.mht, .mhtml |
Single File Web Page |
A Web page that is saved as a single file that includes an .htm file and all supporting files, such as images, sound files, scripts, and more. |
.ods |
OpenDocument Spreadsheet |
A file format for saving Excel 2010 files so that they can be opened in spreadsheet applications that use the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format, such as Google Docs and OpenOffice.org Calc. You can also open spreadsheets in the .ods format in Excel 2010. Formatting might be lost when you save and opening .ods files. |
Portable Document Format, a format that preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the PDF format file is viewed online or printed, it keeps the format that you intended. Data in the file cannot be easily changed. The PDF format is also useful for documents that will be reproduced by using commercial printing methods. |
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.prn |
Formatted Text (Space delimited) |
Lotus space-delimited format. Saves only the active sheet. |
.slk |
SYLK (Symbolic Link Format) |
Saves only the active sheet. |
.txt |
Text (Tab delimited) |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on another Windows operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
.txt |
Text (Macintosh) |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the Macintosh operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
.txt |
Text (MS-DOS) |
Saves a workbook as a tab-delimited text file for use on the MS-DOS operating system, and ensures that tab characters, line breaks, and other characters are interpreted correctly. Saves only the active sheet. |
.txt |
Unicode Text |
Saves a workbook as Unicode text, a character encoding standard that was developed by the Unicode Consortium. Saves only the active sheet. |
.xla |
Excel 97–2003 Add-In |
The Excel 97–2003 Add-In, a supplemental program that runs additional code and supports VBA projects. |
.xlam |
Excel Add-In |
The XML-based and macro-enabled Add-In format for Excel 2010 and Office Excel 2007. An Add-In is a supplemental program that runs additional code. Supports VBA projects and Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
.xls |
Excel 97–Excel 2003 Workbook |
The Excel 97–Excel 2003 Binary file format. |
.xls |
Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 Workbook |
The Excel 5.0/95 Binary file format. |
.xlsb |
Excel Binary Workbook |
The binary file format for Excel 2010 and Office Excel 2007. This is a fast load-and-save file format for users who need the fastest way possible to load a data file. Supports VBA projects, Excel 4.0 macro sheets, and all the new features that are used in Excel 2007 and Excel 2010. However, this is not an XML file format and is therefore not optimal for accessing and manipulating content without using Excel 2010 or Excel 2007 and the object model. |
.xlsm |
Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook |
The XML-based and macro-enabled file format for Excel 2010 and Office Excel 2007. Stores VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
.xlsx |
Excel Workbook |
The default XML-based file format for Excel 2010 and Office Excel 2007. Cannot store VBA macro code or Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
.xlt |
Excel 97 - Excel 2003 Template |
The Excel 97 - Excel 2003 Binary file format for an Excel template. |
.xltm |
Excel Macro-Enabled Template |
The macro-enabled file format for an Excel template for Excel 2010 and Office Excel 2007. Stores VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
.xltx |
Excel Template |
The default file format for an Excel template for Excel 2010 and Office Excel 2007. Cannot store VBA macro code or Excel 4.0 macro sheets (.xlm). |
.xlw |
Excel 4.0 Workbook |
An Excel 4.0 file format that saves only worksheets, chart sheets, and macro sheets. You can open a workbook in this file format in Excel 2010. However, you cannot save an Excel file to this file format. |
.xml |
XML Spreadsheet 2003 |
XML Spreadsheet 2003 file format. |
.xml |
XML Data |
XML Data format. |
.xps |
XPS Document |
XML Paper Specification, a file format that preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. When the XPS file is viewed online or printed, it maintains exactly the format that you intended, and the data in the file cannot be easily changed. |
Note
Excel 2010 does not support the following:
-
Excel Chart (Excel 2.0, 3.0, and 2.x file formats) (.xlc)
-
Lotus 1-2-3 file formats (all versions) (.wk1, .wk2, .wk3, .wk4, .wks)
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Microsoft Works (all versions) (.wks)
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DBASE II file format (.dbf)
-
Quattro Pro for MS-DOS file format (.wq1)
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Quattro Pro 5.0 and 7.0 for Windows (.wb1, .wb3)
File formats that are supported in PowerPoint 2010
The following tables describe the file formats that are supported in PowerPoint 2010.
| Extension | Name of file format | Description |
|---|---|---|
.bmp |
Device Independent Bitmap |
A slide that is saved as a graphic for use on Web pages. |
.emf |
Enhanced Windows Metafile |
A slide that is saved as a 32-bit graphic (for use with Microsoft Windows 95 and later versions). |
.gif |
GIF Graphics Interchange Format |
A slide that is saved as a graphic for use on Web pages. |
.jpg |
JPEG File Interchange Format |
A slide that is saved as a graphic for use on Web pages. |
.odp |
OpenDocument Presentation |
A format that can be opened in presentation applications that use the OpenDocument Presentation format, such as Google Docs and OpenOffice.org Impress. You can also open presentations in the .odp format in PowerPoint 2010. Some information might be lost when you save and open .odp files. |
Portable Document Format, a PostScript-based electronic file format developed by Adobe Systems that preserves document formatting and enables file sharing. |
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.png |
PNG Portable Network Graphics Format |
A slide that is saved as a graphic for use on Web pages. |
.pot |
PowerPoint 97–2003 Template |
A template for PowerPoint 97 to Office PowerPoint 2003 presentations. |
.potm |
PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Template |
A template for PowerPoint 2010 and Office PowerPoint 2007 presentations that contain macros. |
.potx |
PowerPoint Template |
A template for creating new PowerPoint 2010 and Office PowerPoint 2007 presentations. |
.ppa |
PowerPoint 97-2003 Add-In |
A PowerPoint 97 to Office PowerPoint 2003 add-in. |
.ppam |
PowerPoint Add-In |
An add-in that stores custom commands, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code, and specialized features. |
.pps |
PowerPoint 97–2003 show |
A presentation that always opens in Slide Show view instead of in Normal view. |
.ppsm |
PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Show |
A slide show that includes macros. |
.ppsx |
PowerPoint Show |
A presentation that always opens in Slide Show view instead of in Normal view. |
.ppt |
PowerPoint 97–2003 Presentation |
The default PowerPoint 97 to Office PowerPoint 2003 format. |
.pptm |
PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Presentation |
A presentation that contains Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code. |
.pptx |
PowerPoint Presentation |
The default PowerPoint 2010 and Office PowerPoint 2007 XML-based file format. |
.pptx |
PowerPoint Picture Presentation |
A PowerPoint 2010 or 2007 presentation where each slide is converted into a picture. Saving a file as a PowerPoint Picture presentation will reduce the file size. However, some information will be lost. |
.rtf |
Outline/RTF |
A presentation outline that is saved as a text-only document that provides smaller file sizes and the ability to share macro-free files with other users who might not have the same version of PowerPoint or the operating system that you have. Any text in the notes pane is not saved with this file format. |
.thmx |
Office Theme |
A style sheet that includes definitions of a color theme, font theme, and effect theme. |
.tif |
TIFF Tag Image File Format |
A slide that is saved as a graphic for use on Web pages. |
.wmf |
Windows Metafile |
A slide that is saved as a 16-bit graphic (for use with Microsoft Windows 3.x and later versions). |
.wmv |
Windows Media Video |
A presentation that is saved as a video. PowerPoint 2010 presentations can be saved at High Quality (1024 x 768, 30 frames per second); Medium Quality (640 x 480, 24 frames per sec); and Low Quality (320 X 240, 15 frames per second). The WMV file format plays on many media players, such as Windows Media Player. |
.xml |
PowerPoint XML Presentation |
The XML format that is supported in PowerPoint 2010 and Office PowerPoint 2007. |
.xps |
XPS Document |
XML Paper Specification (XPS), an electronic paper format for exchanging documents in their final form. |
Note
PowerPoint 2010 does not support the following:
-
Opening or saving to PowerPoint 95 (or earlier) file formats
-
Pack and Go Wizard (.ppz) files.
-
Web Page (.htm, .html) files
Additional file format information
This section provides additional file formats and whether they are supported in the applications in Office 2010.
Microsoft Office Clipboard file formats
You can paste data from the Microsoft Office Clipboard into Word 2010, Excel 2010, and PowerPoint 2010 if the Office Clipboard data is in one of the formats shown in the following table.
| File format | Extension | Description |
|---|---|---|
Picture |
.wmf or .emf |
Pictures in Windows Metafile Format (WMF) or Windows Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF). Note If you copy a Windows metafile picture from another program, Excel pastes the picture as an enhanced metafile. |
Bitmap |
.bmp |
Pictures stored in Bitmap format (BMP). |
Microsoft Excel file formats |
.xls |
Binary file formats for Excel versions 5.0/95, Excel 97-2003, and Excel 2010. |
SYLK |
.slk |
Symbolic Link Format. |
DIF |
.dif |
Data Interchange Format. |
Text (tab-delimited) |
.txt |
Tab-separated text format. |
CSV (Comma-delimited) |
.csv |
Comma-separated values format. |
Formatted text (Space-delimited) |
.rtf |
Rich Text Format (RTF). Only from Excel. |
Embedded object |
.gif, .jpg, .doc, .xls, or .bmp |
Microsoft Excel objects, objects from properly registered programs that support OLE 2.0 (OwnerLink), and Picture or another presentation format. |
Linked object |
.gif, .jpg, .doc, .xls, or .bmp |
OwnerLink, ObjectLink, Link, Picture, or other format. |
Office drawing object |
.emf |
Office drawing object format or Picture (Windows enhanced metafile format, EMF). |
Text |
.txt |
Display Text, OEM Text. |
HTML |
.htm, .html |
Hypertext Markup Language. Note When you copy text from another program, Excel pastes the text in HTML format, regardless of the format of the original text. |
Single File Web Page |
mht, .mhtml |
This file format integrates inline graphics, applets, linked documents, and other supporting items referenced in the document. |
Opening or viewing unsupported file formats
If the file format that you want to use is not supported in Word 2010, Excel 2010, or PowerPoint 2010, you can try the following methods to open the file.
Search the Internet for a company that makes file format converters for file formats that are not supported in the application.
Save to a file format that another program supports. For example, you might want to import your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file into another program that does not support the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. However, the other program might support importing another supported file format, such as a text file format. In this case, you can save your work in text file format, and then from the other program, import the text file.