DOCX vs XLSX
How do DOCX and XLSXcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.docx
Full guide →Office Open XML Document
DOCX is the default format for Microsoft Word documents. It's an XML-based format that replaced the older .doc format, offering better compression, easier recovery, and broader compatibility.
.xlsx
Full guide →Office Open XML Spreadsheet
XLSX is the default format for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. It supports complex formulas, charts, pivot tables, and large datasets. It's the industry standard for data analysis and financial modeling.
| Specification | DOCX | XLSX |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Office Open XML Document | Office Open XML Spreadsheet |
| Extension | .docx | .xlsx |
| MIME type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 2007 | 2007 |
DOCX advantages
- Standard format for word processing
- Excellent formatting capabilities
- Smaller files than legacy .doc format
- Compatible with Google Docs, LibreOffice, and more
DOCX limitations
- Formatting may vary between applications
- Complex internal XML structure
- Requires office software to edit properly
- Version differences can cause compatibility issues
XLSX advantages
- Powerful formula and calculation engine
- Supports charts, pivot tables, and macros
- Industry standard for business data
- Compatible with Google Sheets and LibreOffice
XLSX limitations
- Complex format for simple data
- Can be slow with very large datasets
- Formatting issues between applications
- Requires office software for full features
Which should you use?
DOCX and XLSX serve different purposes. DOCX is ideal for business reports and memos, while XLSX excels at financial reports and budgets.
Best uses for DOCX
Best uses for XLSX
Convert between DOCX and XLSX
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.