XLT File

What are XLT files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an XLT file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your XLT files.

What is an XLT file?

XLT files have multiple uses, and Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Template is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Template File

These files are used in Microsoft Excel to create new spreadsheets in a quick and efficient manner. They come preloaded with standard formats, formulas, and styles so that users can simply enter their own data and use the spreadsheet without having to spend time building and styling the spreadsheet.

For example, if a company wants to create a new budget worksheet each month, an XLT file allows them to quickly create a new worksheet with the same layout and formulas as the last, and just enter the new data.

XLT files are not the same as normal Excel files. Regular Excel files, that end with XLS or XLSX, contain actual data and are editable, while .XLT files are used as a template and are not editable.

How to open XLT files

Important: Different programs may use files with the XLT file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your XLT file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different XLT openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 14, 2026

All known file formats using extension .XLT

While Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Template File is a popular type of XLT-file, we know of 4 different uses of the .XLT file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Biew Xlat Table

We know that one XLT format is Biew Xlat Table. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

IBM I Access Client Translation Table

IBM i Access Client Translation Table files (.XLT) are settings files used with IBM's terminal emulator software - such as the PC/3270 or 5250 emulators in IBM i Access Client (including Personal Communications). They are created when a user wants to customize how characters - especially host EBCDIC character codes - are translated to characters on the PC side (ANSI or other code pages), or how custom keyboard input bytes are handled. These tables allow remapping of specific byte values so that symbols or control characters display or behave differently than the standard translation would dictate.

Such a file is usually written by the user via an emulator or profile customization tool in the IBM i Access or Client Solutions environment. It is then referenced in a workstation profile so the emulator loads it when rendering host output or interpreting user input. Typical use includes changing the graphic symbol that appears for certain host codes (for example making square bracket characters display differently), or defining translation behavior when transferring text files between host and client.

Technically the file is plain text using INI-style sections. It starts with "[Profile]" section including "id=XLT" and "Description=" lines, has an "[Option]" section with keys like "Replace=Y", and a "[SB Xlate]" (single-byte translate) section mapping two‐hex‐digit EBCDIC codes to two‐hex‐digit host side codes (e.g. "AD=5B"). It also contains specific keywords such as ERRORMESSAGE, SB XLATE, REPLACE and OPTION. The header signature at offset zero is the ASCII string "[Profile]..id=XLT..Description=" (bytes 5B 50 72 6F 66 69 6C 65 5D 0D 0A 69 64 3D 58 4C 54 0D 0A 44 65 73 63 72 69 70 74 69 6F 6E 3D).

XLT opener for Windows

We have identified one XLT opener that is compatible with this specific type of XLT file.

Lotus Translation Table

We know that one XLT format is Lotus Translation Table. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of XLT files. Remember, different programs may use XLT files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about XLT file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.