Saving an excel file as an xlsb will shrink the size by half or 75

Saving an Excel file as an .XLSB can significantly reduce its size

If you are familiar with Microsoft Excel, you may have come across the option to save your files in different formats, such as .XLSX, .CSV, or .XLSB. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, but one format in particular stands out when it comes to reducing the file size - .XLSB.

When you save a spreadsheet as an .XLSB file, it compresses the data and reduces the file size significantly. In fact, the file size can be reduced by half or even up to 75% compared to the standard .XLSX format. This means that you can save valuable disk space and make your files more manageable, especially if you are dealing with large datasets or complex calculations.

The reason behind this drastic reduction in file size lies in the way the .XLSB format stores data. While .XLSX files use an XML-based structure to save data, .XLSB files use a binary format. This binary format stores the data in a more efficient and compact manner, resulting in smaller file sizes. Additionally, the binary format allows for faster data retrieval and processing, making it a preferred choice for working with large datasets.

It’s important to note that when you save a file as an .XLSB, it may take slightly longer to open and save compared to .XLSX or other formats. This is because the Excel application needs to convert the binary data back into a human-readable format. However, the trade-off in terms of reduced file size and improved performance during data manipulation is usually well worth it.

To further illustrate the file size reduction when using the .XLSB format, let’s consider an example. Suppose you have a large Excel file with multiple sheets, charts, and formulas, which is saved as an .XLSX file format. The file size of this spreadsheet is around 4MB. However, when you save the same file as an .XLSB, the file size can be reduced to just 1MB or even less. This significant reduction in file size not only saves disk space but also makes it easier to share and transfer files, especially over networks or via email.

In conclusion, saving an Excel file as an .XLSB can greatly shrink the file size by half or even 75%. With the use of a binary file format, the data is compressed and stored more efficiently, resulting in significant disk space savings. However, it’s important to consider the slight delay in opening and saving files, as the application needs to convert the binary data. Overall, the benefits of reduced file size and improved performance during data manipulation make .XLSB a valuable option for data-intensive Excel spreadsheets.

References: Analystcave