Introduction to new file name extensions and Open XML Formats

The Microsoft Office 2007 introduces a new file format that is based on XML. It is called Open XML Formats. It applies to Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007. The benefits of Open XML Formats are as follows:

1. Compact Files: Files are automatically compressed in Open XML Formats. They can be up to 75 percent smaller in some cases. Zip compression technology is used to store documents. It offers potential cost savings as it reduces the disk space required to store files and decreases the bandwidth needed to send files across the Internet. When a user opens a file, it is automatically unzipped. When a user saves a file, it is automatically zipped again.

 

2. Improved damaged-file recovery: In Open XML Formats, files are structured in a modular fashion that keeps different data components in the file separate from each other. This allows files to be opened even if a component within the file (for example, an image or a chart) is damaged or corrupted.

 

3. Better privacy and more control over personal information: Documents can be shared confidentially using Open XML Formats because personal information and business-sensitive information, such as author names, comments, tracked changes, and file paths can be easily identified and removed by using Document Inspector.

 

4. Better integration and interoperability of business data: Documents, worksheets, presentations, and forms can be saved in an XML file format using Open XML Formats. XML file format is freely available for anyone to use and to license, royalty free. Office supports customer-defined XML Schemas that enhance the existing Office document types. Therefore, customers can easily unlock information in existing systems and act upon it in familiar Office programs. Other business applications can easily use the information that is created within Office. A ZIP utility and an XML editor is used to open and edit an Office file.

 

5. Easier detection of documents that contain macros: In Open XML Formats, files that are saved by using the default “x” suffix (such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx) cannot contain Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros and XLM macros. Only the files whose extension ends with an “m” (such as .docm, .xlsm, and .pptm) can contain macros. In this way a user can easily identify the files that contain macros.

The new file name extensions
By default, documents, worksheets, and presentations that a user creates in Microsoft Office 2007 are saved in XML format with new file name extensions that add an “x” or an “m” to the file name extensions. The “x” signifies an XML file that has no macros, and the “m” signifies an XML file that contains macros.
The following tables list all of the default file extensions in Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007.
Word

Excel

PowerPoint