PXL File – What is .pxl file and how to open it?

Definition of a PXL File

A PXL file is a data file format developed by Microsoft for use with its Pocket Excel software. Pocket Excel is a spreadsheet application designed for mobile devices and personal digital assistants (PDAs). PXL files contain spreadsheet data, including cell values, formulas, and formatting information. They are similar in structure to XLS files used by the desktop version of Microsoft Excel, but are optimized for the smaller screens and limited processing power of mobile devices.

Usage and Compatibility

PXL files are primarily used to create and edit spreadsheets on mobile devices. They are compatible with Pocket Excel, a discontinued software product for Windows Mobile and other mobile operating systems. However, PXL files can also be opened and edited using the desktop version of Microsoft Excel. To ensure compatibility, it is recommended to use a version of Excel that is the same or later than the version used to create the PXL file. Additionally, third-party software applications may support opening and editing PXL files, but compatibility may vary.

Opening PXL Files

PXL files are proprietary binary files created by Microsoft Pocket Excel, a discontinued spreadsheet application for Windows CE devices. They contain spreadsheet data, including formulas, formatting, and charts. To open a PXL file, you can use:

• Microsoft Pocket Excel: If you have access to a Windows CE device, you can install Pocket Excel and open the PXL file using the application.
• Excel Viewer: Microsoft provides Excel Viewer, a free program for viewing Excel files. While Excel Viewer cannot edit PXL files, it can open and display the spreadsheet data.
• Third-party PXL converters: Some third-party software, such as PXL Viewer, converts PXL files into other formats, such as XLS, which can be opened by standard spreadsheet applications.

Alternative Methods

If you don’t have access to any of the above options, you can try the following alternative methods:

• Online PXL converters: There are several online services that allow you to upload PXL files and convert them into other spreadsheet formats, such as XLS or CSV.
• Opening in a text editor: PXL files are essentially binary files, but they may contain some text data. You can open the file in a text editor, such as Notepad, and search for readable information, such as cell values or formula names. However, this method may not provide complete or accurate data extraction.

Technical Specifications of PXL Files

The PXL file format is a binary file format used to store spreadsheet data in Microsoft’s Pocket Excel application. It is designed for portable devices such as Palm handhelds and Windows Mobile devices. PXL files contain worksheets, which can hold data, formulas, and formatting. The format supports basic spreadsheet features, including rows, columns, cell formatting, simple functions, and charts. PXL files are typically used to create and edit spreadsheets on mobile devices.

Limitations and Alternative Formats

Due to its targeted use on mobile devices, the PXL file format has certain limitations compared to more robust spreadsheet formats such as XLSX. It supports a maximum of 1000 rows and 1000 columns per worksheet, which may be insufficient for large datasets. Additionally, PXL files do not support complex formulas or advanced features found in desktop spreadsheet applications. For users requiring more functionality, Microsoft Excel offers more advanced file formats such as XLSX or XLSM, which provide greater flexibility and support for a wider range of features. However, these formats are not supported by Pocket Excel and are designed for use on desktop or laptop computers.

Other Extensions