What Is Excel Binary Workbook

Excel Binary Workbook is an advanced file format used by Microsoft Excel to store data in binary format, which makes the file much smaller and faster to open and save than the old file formats. Compared to the traditional XLSX format, binary workbooks (XLSB) leverage the benefits of binary file storage, which means that data is represented numerically as 0s and 1s. This makes the file less prone to corruption and reduces the chances of data loss scenarios. However, this file format is not designed for compatibility with other programs, and it requires a newer version of Excel to open it.

Introduction

Excel Binary Workbook is a type of file format used by Microsoft Excel that offers faster performance and increased data protection. In this blog post, we will take a detailed look at Excel Binary Workbook, including what it is, when to use it, and how to create an XLSB file format.

What is Excel Binary Workbook?

Excel Binary Workbook is an advanced file format used by Microsoft Excel that stores data in binary format (0s and 1s). It offers faster performance than its older counterparts, such as XLSX, and provides increased data protection, reducing the likelihood of data loss due to corruption.

When to use Excel Binary Workbook

If you work with large datasets, you should consider using Excel Binary Workbook. The file format is ideal for complex workbooks, containing multiple worksheets with heavy formatting, macros and complex formulas. It is also ideal if you need to work with extremely large files while maintaining the file’s integrity.

How to create an Excel Binary Workbook

To create an Excel Binary Workbook:

1. Open Excel and click on the File tab on the ribbon.
2. Select Save As from the options on the left-hand side of the pane.
3. In the Save As dialog box, navigate to the location where you would like to save the file, enter a name for the workbook, and choose Excel Binary Workbook (*.xlsb) as the file format from the drop-down menu.
4. Click on the Save button, and your new Excel Binary Workbook is created and ready to use.

Excel Binary Workbook is an efficient, fast and secure file format that is ideal for working with large and complex datasets. In this blog post, we explored what Excel Binary Workbook is, when to use it and how to create an XLSB file format. Hopefully, this will help you to take full advantage of this file format the next time you work on a complex project or analyze large datasets.

Advantages of Excel Binary Workbook

Excel Binary Workbook offers several advantages over other file formats, including:

• Smaller file size: XLSB files are much smaller than similar workbooks in the traditional XLSX format, making it faster and easier to share, transfer and store files.
• Faster calculations: Excel Binary Workbook can process formulas and calculations faster than traditional XLSX formats, which is especially important when working with large datasets, complex formulas, and macros.
• Data Protection: Binary workbooks offer added data protection, making it less prone to corruption, thereby reducing the chances of data loss or file corruption. Binary file storage also makes the file format less susceptible to virus attacks and other malicious malware activities.
• Compatibility: Excel Binary Workbook files are compatible with Excel 2007 and later versions of Excel, including Excel for Mac. However, they may not open with third-party application software, earlier versions of Excel or other spreadsheet software.

Disadvantages of Excel Binary Workbook

While Excel Binary Workbook offers many advantages, it also has a few drawbacks, including:

• Incompatibility with third-party software: Binary Workbook is a Microsoft proprietary file format, which means that it is not compatible with third-party programs or other spreadsheet software that does not support the XLSB file format.
• Compatibility Issues with Older Excel Versions: Users with earlier versions of Excel may not be able to open XLSB files or view their content unless they upgrade to Excel 2007 or a later version.
• Loss of formatting: If shared with third-party applications that do not support the XLSB format, the file may lose its formatting or display incorrect data.

Excel Binary Workbook is an advanced file format used by Microsoft Excel to store data in binary format. The file format offers faster performance, increased data protection, and smaller file sizes. However, it is not compatible with third-party software, and earlier versions of Excel may not be able to open XLSB files. It is essential to assess your requirements when deciding to choose a file format. If you are working with large and complex workbooks, then Excel Binary Workbook might be an excellent option to consider.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Excel Binary Workbook and its usage:

What is the difference between Excel Binary Workbook and other extension formats?

Excel Binary Workbook uses binary format to store data, making the file size much smaller than XLSX format. It offers faster calculations, greater data protection, and compatibility with recent versions of Excel. In contrast, XLSX format uses Open XML file format, which is compatible with third-party software, but it has limitations on data manipulation and calculation.

What version of Excel should I use to open Excel Binary Workbook files?

Excel Binary Workbook files require Excel 2007 or later versions to open. Once opened in the required version of Excel, the file can be saved and shared with other versions of Excel, including the newer ones.

Can I share Excel Binary Workbook with non-Excel users?

No, Excel Binary Workbook is not compatible with other programs or spreadsheet software other than Excel. Although Excel 2007 or later versions can convert an XLSB file to XLSX format for sharing, this conversion may cause loss of properties or functionality specific to the XLSB format.

How do I convert a legacy Excel file format to Excel Binary Workbook?

To convert an existing workbook from an older legacy Excel formats, open the workbook, then save it as an XLSB file format. Ensure that you choose XLSB file format to store the file as a binary workbook and follow the on-screen prompts.

Can I edit an Excel Binary Workbook file using Excel Mobile Apps?

No, Editing the XLSB file format in Microsoft Excel Mobile App is not currently supported. The binary workbook files that were created on a desktop version of Excel can be viewed in the mobile app, but the user would need to save a copy of the workbook in one of the supported file formats to edit or modify the data.