PDF vs XLSX
How do PDF and XLSXcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
Portable Document Format
PDF is the universal standard for sharing documents. It preserves formatting, fonts, and layout across all devices and operating systems. From contracts to resumes, PDF is the format the world relies on.
.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 | XLSX | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Document Format | Office Open XML Spreadsheet |
| Extension | .xlsx | |
| MIME type | application/pdf | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Adobe Systems | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 1993 | 2007 |
PDF advantages
- Consistent display on all devices
- Supports digital signatures and forms
- Compact file sizes with good compression
- Industry standard for official documents
PDF limitations
- Difficult to edit without specialized software
- Not ideal for responsive or reflowable content
- Can be large with embedded fonts and images
- Accessibility can be poor if not properly tagged
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?
PDF and XLSX serve different purposes. PDF is ideal for business documents and contracts, while XLSX excels at financial reports and budgets.
Best uses for PDF
Best uses for XLSX
Convert between PDF and XLSX
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.