Microsoft Excel 5 for Mac add-in file
File type: Plugin, addon file
XLA5 is a legacy add-in file format used by Microsoft Excel 5 for Mac.
An XLA5 file contains an Excel add-in and its associated macros or functionality for use with that version of Excel.
File type category:
Plugin, addon file
Date updated: September 27, 2026
XLA5 is associated with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft's spreadsheet application for creating and editing spreadsheets, charts and graphs. XLA5 files were used for add-ins in Microsoft Excel 5 for Mac.
An add-in can provide additional macros, commands or other functionality within Excel. The standard add-in extensions used by later versions of Microsoft Excel include xla and xll.
XLA5 is a legacy format from the classic Mac version of Excel. Although the extension may be associated with Microsoft Excel for Windows and Microsoft Office for Mac, modern versions may not support the Mac-specific file format.
Open an XLA5 file with Microsoft Excel 5 for Mac, if that software is available in a compatible classic Mac environment. The file is an add-in rather than an ordinary spreadsheet, so it may need to be installed or loaded through Excel's add-in commands.
Current versions of Microsoft Excel for Windows and Microsoft Office for Mac may not open or load XLA5 files correctly. If the file is required, use the original compatible software or obtain a version of the add-in in a newer format.
XLA5 files do not have a generally useful standalone conversion path. The add-in's macros and functionality must usually be migrated or recreated in a newer Excel add-in format.
If a compatible version of Excel can open the file, it may be possible to save or export its contents in a format supported by that version. This may not preserve old Mac-specific code or behavior.
Software applications that handle other tasks involving xla5 files:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Language
