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.
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 and XLSX serve different purposes. PDF is ideal for business documents and contracts, while XLSX excels at financial reports and budgets.
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