Which version of Excel for Exporting?

Daniel Noga 2 · June 2016

Just wanted to take a quick poll: When setting up Exports, if exporting to Excel, which version do you typically select and why?

In a previous workplace, a co-worker was sometimes very particular about which version I selected and I never understood why. I don't know what the significant differences are, and I usually just choose the latest version. If there are tangible reasons for using other versions, I would be interested in learning them.

Alan French · June 2016

I always use Excel 2007 (XLSX). Everyone here has Office 2010 or newer so it would seem like a missed opportunity not to take advantage of the extra functionality. Plus, less computer literate users may not fully understand the implications of the "loss of fidelity" warning when saving as an older format and I wouldn't want anyone to lose aspects of their work because I picked a format that didn't support the colour scheme they decided to use, for example.

Anecdotally, I find the file size is generally smaller with XLSX than with XLS but I suppose that could depend on the contents of the file.

Candace Chesler · June 2016

My default format is to export as a csv file - this allows me to control the formatting after I open. I find that if I choose any of the available choices for Excel files - then any of the numberical fields come out as labels instead of numbers. Starting with a csv eliminates the need to reformat columns.

Daniel Noga 2 · June 2016

Alan French:

I always use Excel 2007 (XLSX). Everyone here has Office 2010 or newer so it would seem like a missed opportunity not to take advantage of the extra functionality. Plus, less computer literate users may not fully understand the implications of the "loss of fidelity" warning when saving as an older format and I wouldn't want anyone to lose aspects of their work because I picked a format that didn't support the colour scheme they decided to use, for example.

Anecdotally, I find the file size is generally smaller with XLSX than with XLS but I suppose that could depend on the contents of the file.

These are the reasons I usually go with the latest version, as well. Curiously, the format about which my former co-worker was so particular was Excel version 8.0 (extended), if I remember correctly, which I don't see available anymore. Seemed like a very particular sort of request, especially for such an old format.

Daniel Noga 2 · June 2016

Candace Chesler:

My default format is to export as a csv file - this allows me to control the formatting after I open. I find that if I choose any of the available choices for Excel files - then any of the numberical fields come out as labels instead of numbers. Starting with a csv eliminates the need to reformat columns.

Nice trick! Is this why my leading zeroes get dropped sometimes?

Marie Stark · June 2016

Daniel Noga:

Alan French:

I always use Excel 2007 (XLSX). Everyone here has Office 2010 or newer so it would seem like a missed opportunity not to take advantage of the extra functionality. Plus, less computer literate users may not fully understand the implications of the "loss of fidelity" warning when saving as an older format and I wouldn't want anyone to lose aspects of their work because I picked a format that didn't support the colour scheme they decided to use, for example.

Anecdotally, I find the file size is generally smaller with XLSX than with XLS but I suppose that could depend on the contents of the file.

These are the reasons I usually go with the latest version, as well. Curiously, the format about which my former co-worker was so particular was Excel version 8.0 (extended), if I remember correctly, which I don't see available anymore. Seemed like a very particular sort of request, especially for such an old format.

If you export a canned Raisers Edge report, Excel 8.0 extended is one of the options. If you use the Extended format, it gives you additional options regarding the format, which helps to line it up better when you export.

Tracy Morgan · June 2016

I vote .cvs comma delimited - other formats have hidden characters that pop up at the most inconvenient times!

Sunshine Reinken Watson · June 2016

I export it as 2007 or csv then save it as the version my organization uses (2013) after I open it.

John Heizer · June 2016

Whatever the latest available version of Excel is available for the Export (currently 2007). I've never had a problem with ANY of the Excel formats when doing an Export. Exporting from a previewed Report is a different matter altogether and can be very hit & miss.

Ryan Hyde · June 2016

Another vote for CSV here. I like to keep the export simple and then save into an appropriate file format after the fact.

Carolyn Moatz · June 2016

Daniel Noga:

Alan French:

I always use Excel 2007 (XLSX). Everyone here has Office 2010 or newer so it would seem like a missed opportunity not to take advantage of the extra functionality. Plus, less computer literate users may not fully understand the implications of the "loss of fidelity" warning when saving as an older format and I wouldn't want anyone to lose aspects of their work because I picked a format that didn't support the colour scheme they decided to use, for example.

Anecdotally, I find the file size is generally smaller with XLSX than with XLS but I suppose that could depend on the contents of the file.

These are the reasons I usually go with the latest version, as well. Curiously, the format about which my former co-worker was so particular was Excel version 8.0 (extended), if I remember correctly, which I don't see available anymore. Seemed like a very particular sort of request, especially for such an old format.

I default to Excel 97-2000 (extended) because exporting to 2007 (at least when we first started using it) would export dollar amounts as standard numbers. A lot of our development officers will run their own exports and it's easier for them to not have to reformat, but just start looking.

James Andrews · June 2016

I use character separated text, because then I don't have issues with commas in addresses and salutations, and with numbers coming out with the apostrophe in front and getting treated like text, and all of the other screwiness involved in exporting directly to Excel. Excel is usually pretty good at figuring out formats as it imports.

Gracie Schild · June 2016

I almost never send things out as csv, but that might help with the "looks like a number - treat as number?" issues I have. Sorting zips and zips-plus-4 together is always a nightmare. I'll have to find the free time to export the same list in several versions/formats and then try to do typical things with each. Thanks for hte suggestion!

Daniel Noga 2 · June 2016

I think the various cases made for .csv win out, especially since one can always convert the .csv to another format if needed. The advantages of bypassing formatting issues are compelling and, to my mind, come before other considerations that seem a bit more aesthetic/based on personal preference. This is especially the case since it's possible to overlook those formatting issues and send out a faulty report if they aren't caught.

Which version of Excel for Exporting?

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