.XLW File Extension
Microsoft Excel Workspace
| Developer | Microsoft |
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What is an XLW file?
An XLW file is a workspace file created by Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheets application. It contains the screen locations of one or more workbooks, as well as references to the workbook files. XLW files are used to restore the layout when working simultaneously on multiple workbooks.
More Information
Beginning with Excel 2013 and later versions, Excel no longer allows you to save workspaces as XLW files. However, the application still allows you to open XLW files saved with Excel 2010 and earlier.
To create an XLW workspace file with Excel 2007 or 2010, follow these steps:
- Open the workbook(s) you want included in the workspace and arrange them to how you want them to appear
- Click Save Workspace in the Window group in the View tab.
- Name the file, choose the save location, and click Save
NOTE: XLW files do not include workbook data files. They only store the layout of the workbooks on the screen. You must have all workbook files available to reopen an XLW file properly.
Common XLW Filenames
resume.xlw - Default filename given to the workspace file.
How to open an XLW file
You can only open XLW files with Microsoft Excel in Windows and macOS. To open an XLW file, select File → Open, choose the file, and click Open.
When XLW files are opened, Excel restores the workbooks back to their saved locations on the screen.
Programs that open XLW files
Microsoft Excel Workbook
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
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An XLW file may also be a workbook created by version 4 of Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet program. It stores a grid of cells in rows and columns and may contain numbers, text, charts, and formatting, similarly to .XLS files.
More Information
Excel no longer supports the saving of XLW workbook files, but it can still open them. Later versions of Excel allow you to save workbooks as .XLSX, .XLSM, and .XLSB files.
NOTE: Excel 4 workbooks only store worksheets, chart sheets, and macro sheets. They are formatted differently than Excel Workspace files, which are saved by other versions of Excel and also use the .xlw extension.
How to open an XLW file
You can open XLW files with Microsoft Excel in Windows and macOS. To open an XLW file, select File → Open, choose the file, and click Open.
NOTE: Later versions of Excel may not display the workbook contents differently than Excel 4.0.