What Is an XLAM File?
A file with the XLAMfile extensionis a macro-enabled add-in file used to add new functions to Microsoft Excel.
Like Excel’sXLSMandXLSXfile formats, these add-in files areXML-based and saved withZIPcompression to reduce the overall size.
Excel add-in files that don’t support macros might use theXLLor XLA file extension.
How to Open an XLAM File
XLAM files can be opened withMicrosoft Excel2007 and newer.
Earlier versions of Excel can open one, too, but only if theMicrosoft Office Compatibility Packis installed.
Macros in an XLAM file may contain malicious code.
Take great care when openingexecutable file formatsreceived via email or downloaded from websites you’re not familiar with.
The other path isDeveloper>Add-Ins.
SeeMicrosoft how-to to learn how to fire up the Developertabif you don’t already see it.
Right-poke the file in Explorer and chooseProperties.
In theGeneraltab, selectUnblockto have full access to it.
While those tools do work for lots of file formats, this isn’t one of them.
Seethis Excel Forum thread on converting XLAM to XLSMif you want to do that.
It involves editing theIsAddInproperty toFalse.
Still Can’t Open It?
For example,XAMLcould easily be confused for XLAM even though those files are used with a different program.
