How to open .XLTX files on Mac
To open .XLTX files on Mac, double-click the .xltx file to open it in Microsoft Excel for Mac.
Step-by-step instructions
- Double-click the .xltx file to open it in Microsoft Excel for Mac.
- If prompted, choose Excel as the application to open the file and confirm.
Common issues
Opening the template creates a new workbook instead of letting you edit the template
.xltx is a template format; spreadsheet apps often treat it as a blueprint and create a new workbook from it when opened.
- In Excel, use File → Open to open the template, then use File → Save As to save your changes back as a template (.xltx) if you intend to update the template itself.
- If you only need a normal spreadsheet based on the template, save the newly created workbook as a regular Excel workbook (for example, .xlsx) with a new name.
File won’t open or reports corruption
.xltx is an OOXML package of multiple parts; if the package or any required XML part is damaged, Excel may fail to open it or warn about repairs.
- Re-download or re-copy the file (corruption often happens during transfer or incomplete downloads).
- Try opening it in Microsoft Excel and allow repair if offered, then immediately Save As a new file name.
It opens in the wrong application
Operating system file associations can be set incorrectly, especially if multiple office suites are installed.
- Windows: right-click → Open with → Excel → set as default if desired.
- macOS: select the file in Finder → Get Info → Open with → choose Excel → Change All.
Security note
.xltx is the non-macro OOXML template type; macro-enabled templates are a different extension (commonly .xltm). If you expected macros, verify you received the correct file type.