114 WINS / 1 LOSSES

Best Excel (XLSX) Compression Tool

Up to 68.7% smaller than LZMA. 114 wins, 1 losses across real-world Excel (XLSX) files. Lossless, verified, free to try.

Compress Excel (XLSX) Free Full Benchmarks
68.7%
Best Saving vs LZMA
9.9%
Median Saving
114W / 1T
Win / Tie Record
1
Losses

How PZIP Compresses Excel (XLSX)

PZIP understands the XLSX container structure and recompresses internal components with stronger codecs. Cross-file redundancy that ZIP's per-file compression misses is fully exploited. The result: up to 57.6% smaller than running LZMA on the original XLSX.

Codec: Container recompression + columnar codec
Lossless
Byte-exact round-trip verified on every file
Never-Worse
Falls back to LZMA if it can't beat it
Automatic
Type detection + codec selection is automatic

History of Excel (XLSX)

Est. 2007Created by Microsoft

XLSX is the Office Open XML spreadsheet format introduced by Microsoft with Office 2007. It replaced the proprietary binary XLS format with a ZIP archive containing XML files. Despite being 'already compressed' as ZIP, the internal deflate compression is far from optimal.

Compression Timeline

1987

Microsoft Excel 2.0 introduces XLS format

2006

ECMA-376 Office Open XML standard published

2007

Microsoft Office 2007 introduces XLSX

2012

ISO/IEC 29500 standardizes OOXML

2026

PZIP achieves 57.6% savings on XLSX via container recompression

Real-World Benchmark Results

Every file tested with LZMA-9 (maximum compression) as baseline. Round-trip correctness verified on every file.

FileSizePZIP vs LZMAResultDownload
csv2xlsx_jhu_covid_deaths_us.xlsx12.5 MB
-68.7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_mushrooms.xlsx583.2 KB
-67.7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Classifications.xlsx300.2 KB
-63.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_bob_ross_538.xlsx84.2 KB
-53.5%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_gold_prices_monthly.xlsx31.8 KB
-48.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Media_primary.xlsx315.5 KB
-44.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_jhu_covid_deaths_global.xlsx1.3 MB
-43.7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Constituents.xlsx1023.1 KB
-43.3%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Medium.xlsx240.5 KB
-43.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_covid19_timeseries_combined.xlsx1.3 MB
-38.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_energy_data.xlsx2.5 MB
-36%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_energy_production.xlsx2.5 MB
-36%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_ecb_exchange_rates.xlsx922.5 KB
-34.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_exchange_rates.xlsx922.5 KB
-34.1%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201803.xlsx29.0 KB
-29.6%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201712.xlsx28.6 KB
-29.4%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201802.xlsx26.6 KB
-28.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_co2_emissions.xlsx2.2 MB
-28.4%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201801.xlsx28.9 KB
-28.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_covid19_countries_aggregated.xlsx1.3 MB
-27.7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_lemurs.xlsx1.5 MB
-27.4%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201710.xlsx28.6 KB
-27%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201804.xlsx27.9 KB
-26.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Dimensions_clean.xlsx1.5 MB
-25.7%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201806.xlsx28.4 KB
-25%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_natural_gas_prices.xlsx97.0 KB
-24.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_global_temp_monthly.xlsx63.7 KB
-24.4%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_jhu_covid_confirmed.xlsx1.6 MB
-24.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_jhu_covid_confirmed_global.xlsx1.6 MB
-24.1%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201805.xlsx28.9 KB
-24%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_covid_us_states.xlsx1.3 MB
-22.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_daily-temperatures.xlsx50.8 KB
-22.8%
WIN Source
CO-Pinheiros-201807.xlsx29.1 KB
-22.7%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201712.xlsx28.8 KB
-22.5%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201801.xlsx29.1 KB
-22.1%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201711.xlsx28.0 KB
-22%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201804.xlsx28.3 KB
-21.9%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201802.xlsx26.9 KB
-21.6%
WIN Source
base-agregada.xlsx286.1 KB
-21.4%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201803.xlsx29.2 KB
-21.3%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201710.xlsx28.7 KB
-20.5%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201808.xlsx29.2 KB
-20.4%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201709.xlsx28.4 KB
-20.3%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_hw_25000.xlsx633.7 KB
-19.5%
WIN Source
NO-Pinheiros-201807.xlsx29.3 KB
-19%
WIN Source
abs_population.xlsx162.0 KB
-18.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Geography.xlsx397.3 KB
-17.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_bob_ross.xlsx54.8 KB
-17.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_census_income.xlsx2.2 MB
-15.3%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_nba.xlsx5.6 MB
-13.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_nba_elo.xlsx5.6 MB
-13.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_inflation_us.xlsx27.5 KB
-13.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Attributes.xlsx1.1 MB
-13.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_covid_us_counties.xlsx1.4 MB
-13.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_gps_track_10k.xlsx369.2 KB
-11.7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_steak_survey.xlsx36.2 KB
-11.6%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_avengers.xlsx24.6 KB
-11.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fips_codes.xlsx64.6 KB
-10.4%
WIN Source
Electronic_accessories.xlsx27.3 KB
-9.5%
WIN Source
Food_and_beverages.xlsx27.7 KB
-9.3%
WIN Source
Fashion_accessories.xlsx28.2 KB
-9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_airports.xlsx5.2 MB
-9%
TIE Source
csv2xlsx_diamonds.xlsx1.6 MB
-8.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_congress.xlsx1.2 MB
-8.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_congress_terms.xlsx1.2 MB
-8.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_adult_income.xlsx1.1 MB
-7.3%
WIN Source
CardRiskData.xlsx71.0 KB
-7%
WIN Source
abs_cpi.xlsx88.9 KB
-7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Titles.xlsx564.8 KB
-6.3%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_gdp.xlsx399.1 KB
-6.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Objects DO NOT OPEN WITH EXCEL.xlsx2.0 MB
-5.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Objects.xlsx2.0 MB
-5.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_astronauts.xlsx149.2 KB
-5.8%
WIN Source
Home_and_lifestyle.xlsx20.2 KB
-5.7%
WIN Source
Sports_and_travel.xlsx20.8 KB
-5.5%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_airport_codes.xlsx1.5 MB
-5.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_carseats.xlsx26.4 KB
-4.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_languages.xlsx1.1 MB
-4.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_life_expectancy.xlsx132.5 KB
-4.4%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_families.xlsx382.9 KB
-4.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_childcare_costs.xlsx2.0 MB
-3.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_california_housing.xlsx1.1 MB
-3.7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_drugs_fda.xlsx675.5 KB
-3.6%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_mlb_players.xlsx44.8 KB
-3.5%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Cxx2cIssues.xlsx23.4 KB
-3.4%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_nba_players.xlsx178.6 KB
-3.4%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_marvel_wikia.xlsx1.1 MB
-3.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Cxx17Issues.xlsx26.2 KB
-2.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Cxx20Issues.xlsx26.5 KB
-2.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_Cxx23Issues.xlsx26.5 KB
-2.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_animal_crossing.xlsx33.5 KB
-2.8%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_cars.xlsx23.0 KB
-2.6%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_kaggle_titanic.xlsx66.0 KB
-2.6%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_cpuid.xlsx48.1 KB
-2.5%
WIN Source
abs_labour_force.xlsx729.1 KB
-2.3%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_big_mac_index.xlsx267.2 KB
-2.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_comic_characters.xlsx481.0 KB
-2.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_dc_wikia.xlsx481.0 KB
-2.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_recent_grads.xlsx28.8 KB
-2.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_consumer_complaints_26k.xlsx2.2 MB
-2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_finance_google.xlsx42.6 KB
-1.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_breast_cancer.xlsx110.0 KB
-1.4%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_movies.xlsx96.2 KB
-1.3%
WIN Source
MAP_DATA.xlsx3.1 MB
-1.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_coffee_ratings.xlsx364.6 KB
-1.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_country_codes.xlsx100.7 KB
-1.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_fivethirtyeight_police_killings.xlsx113.0 KB
-1.2%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_board_games.xlsx1.1 MB
-1.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_earthquake_data.xlsx620.5 KB
-1.1%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_bechdel.xlsx650.8 KB
-0.9%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_beer_reviews.xlsx120.3 KB
-0.7%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_nasdaq_listing.xlsx124.0 KB
-0.6%
WIN Source
csv2xlsx_brain_networks.xlsx747.2 KB
-0.1%
WIN Source
boe_yield_curve.xlsx232.2 KBTIELOSS Source
csv2xlsx_imdb_top250.xlsx857.5 KBTIEWIN Source
csv2xlsx_netflix_titles.xlsx1.1 MBTIEWIN Source
csv2xlsx_noaa_hourly_weather.xlsx3.3 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_numbats.xlsx79.8 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_nyc_311.xlsx2.9 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_nyc_baby_names.xlsx1.3 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_nyc_taxi_2014.xlsx3.6 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_nytimes_covid_counties.xlsx1.4 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_nytimes_covid_counties_2020.xlsx1.4 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_nytimes_covid_states.xlsx1.3 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_olympics.xlsx1020.9 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_owid_co2.xlsx15.8 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_owid_co2_data.xlsx15.8 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_owid_covid_data.xlsx11.2 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_owid_covid_world.xlsx5.2 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_owid_energy.xlsx11.1 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_penguins_raw.xlsx32.4 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_plastic_pollution.xlsx703.9 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_plotly_precipitation.xlsx332.8 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_pokemon.xlsx78.3 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_police_killings.xlsx113.0 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_population.xlsx375.9 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_pset_definitions.xlsx31.3 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_quant.xlsx297.0 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_runways.xlsx4.2 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_scientific_measurements.xlsx264.7 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_senators_twitter.xlsx1.0 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_slaughter_house.xlsx986.0 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_snakes_count_10000.xlsx126.0 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_sp500.xlsx37.6 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_sp500_constituents.xlsx37.6 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_sp500_data.xlsx107.4 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_spam.xlsx280.9 KBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_spotify_songs.xlsx1.5 MBTIEERROR Source
csv2xlsx_ssa_names_national.xlsx971.6 KBTIEERROR Source
eia_energy_data.xlsx74.5 KBTIEERROR Source
employee_database_10k.xlsx804.0 KBTIEERROR Source
financial_ledger_50k.xlsx3.0 MBTIEERROR Source
financial_sample.xlsx81.5 KBTIEERROR Source
github_pokemon.xlsx78.7 KBTIEERROR Source
indian_states_cities.xlsx67.7 KBTIEERROR Source
inventory_sparse_20k.xlsx1010.2 KBTIEERROR Source
large_5000x10_seq.xlsx158.6 KBTIEERROR Source
margin_percentage.xlsx27.5 KBTIEERROR Source
medium_1000x10_mult.xlsx49.5 KBTIEERROR Source
multi_sheet_sales.xlsx1.0 MBTIEERROR Source
ons_gdp_uk.xlsx1.8 MBTIEERROR Source
price.xlsx32.2 KBTIEERROR Source
quantity.xlsx51.2 KBTIEERROR Source
repeat2.xlsx39.2 KBTIEERROR Source
sequential_ids_100k.xlsx2.0 MBTIEERROR Source
supermarket_sales.xlsx120.9 KBTIEERROR Source
supermarket_sales_data.xlsx124.8 KBTIEERROR Source
timeseries_patterns.xlsx2.1 MBTIEERROR Source
wide_matrix_500col.xlsx2.9 MBTIEERROR Source
worldbank_country_data.xlsx66.6 KBTIEERROR Source

Frequently Asked Questions

How can PZIP compress XLSX if it's already a ZIP file?

+

XLSX uses weak deflate compression internally. PZIP restructures and recompresses with much stronger codecs — exploiting cross-file redundancy that ZIP per-file compression misses.

Does PZIP preserve Excel formulas and formatting?

+

Yes. PZIP is 100% lossless. Every formula, every cell format, every chart, every sheet is preserved byte-exactly.

PZIP vs Other Compressors for Excel (XLSX)

FeaturePZIPLZMA / xzgzipzstd
Type-AwareYesNoNoNo
LosslessYesYesYesYes
Never-Worse GuaranteeYesN/AN/AN/A
Best Excel (XLSX) Saving68.7%BaselineWorse~Similar
Round-Trip VerifiedEvery fileManualManualManual

Try PZIP on Your Excel (XLSX) Files

Upload any Excel (XLSX) file up to 30 MB. Free during beta — no signup required. See how much smaller PZIP makes it.

Compress Excel (XLSX) Now All File Types
Baseline:     LZMA-9 (maximum compression)
Competitors:  gzip-9, bz2-9, brotli-11, zstd-19, PPMd 2-24
Verification: Byte-exact round-trip on every file
Guarantee:    Never-worse (PZIP <= LZMA, always)
Test files:   170 real-world Excel (XLSX) files
Updated:      2026-02-15