What types of data files do XLS and XLSX formats represent?

The XLS and XLSX formats are specifically designed for use with Microsoft Excel, which is a popular spreadsheet application. These formats are utilized to create, store, and manage numerical data organized in rows and columns. They enable users to perform calculations, create graphs, and analyze data efficiently using Excel's built-in functions and features, such as pivot tables and data visualization tools.

When differentiating between the available choices, it is evident that other formats, like text files, database formats, and GIS shape files, serve different purposes and don't provide the same features attributable to spreadsheet software. Thus, acknowledging XLS and XLSX as spreadsheet files from Microsoft Excel not only aligns with their intended use but also highlights their functionality in data manipulation and analysis.