XLS vs (XLSXM or XLSX ) speed performance

[Jazzy_Fizzel]

Hi,

My question is more theoretical. We have a file that requires the use of complex formula for a large set of data. The XLS version of the file is much faster than the XLSX or XLSM version. I understand why the XLS file is faster and explain it to one of the managers. Whoever the manager insists on using either the XLSM or XLSX version as the XLS is older. I offered the solution to turn automatic calculation which was also refused. My last resort is to find reliable sources or MS documentation that can officially confirm that XLS file are indeed faster. I searched the web to find a bunch of articles and forums, but none seems reliable source to my manager. I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find reliable text or article that can validate the performance of these three types of files?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mole999]

I don't think MS will officially document an older product is faster than their latest offering.

 

[rlv01]

What about the .xlsb format? It's a "modern" format. Have you benchmarked it against the .xls version?

 

[mole999]

the binary file is certainly smaller than the xlsm ones, internally I don't think they process quicker. I found writing for xls was less confusing than the later versions with themes etc. I would consider an option to save the file as xls, and email that out whilst maintaining the newer front end, just need to make sure code used is backwards compatible

 

[thisoldman]

This is an archived post from a 2006 MSDN blog, "Excel 2007 Binary File Format (.xlsb) as a timesaver", https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/da...-2007-binary-file-format-xlsb-as-a-timesaver/