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XLS Converter - Transform Legacy Excel Files

Convert Excel XLS files to modern XLSX, PDF, and CSV formats.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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What is XLS?

XLS is Microsoft Excel's legacy binary spreadsheet format, used as the default from Excel 97 through Excel 2003. It stores data, formulas, charts, and formatting in a proprietary binary structure.

While XLS has been superseded by XLSX since Office 2007, millions of legacy XLS files still exist in business archives, old systems, and databases. Converting these files ensures continued accessibility and compatibility.

XLS files can contain multiple worksheets, formulas, charts, and macros, making them powerful but less portable than modern XML-based formats.

Why Convert XLS Files?

Converting XLS files addresses several important needs:

  • Modernization - Convert to XLSX for smaller file sizes and better compatibility with current software
  • Universal access - CSV format works with any application and database
  • Sharing - PDF format lets anyone view spreadsheet data without Excel
  • Data extraction - Pull data from old XLS files for use in modern systems
  • Open standards - ODS format works with LibreOffice and open-source tools
  • Legacy support - Convert modern files TO XLS for users with older Office versions

Convert XLS to Other Formats

Upgrade your legacy Excel files to modern formats:

XLS to XLSX

The most important conversion. Upgrade to the modern Excel format for smaller files, better security, and compatibility with Excel 2007 and later. Preserves all data, formulas, and formatting.

XLS to CSV

Extract spreadsheet data as comma-separated values. Essential for database import, data processing, or sharing with systems that don't support Excel formats.

XLS to PDF

Create printable PDF documents from your spreadsheets. Perfect for sharing data with people who don't have Excel or for creating reports.

XLS to TXT

Convert to plain text for simple data extraction. Removes all formatting and creates raw text output.

XLS to XML

Transform spreadsheet data to structured XML for use in web services, APIs, or applications requiring XML input.

XLS to HTML

Convert spreadsheets to HTML tables for displaying data on websites.

Convert Other Formats to XLS

Create legacy Excel files for older Office compatibility:

XLSX to XLS

Downgrade modern Excel files for compatibility with Excel 2003 and earlier. Essential when sharing files with users who have older Office installations.

CSV to XLS

Import comma-separated data into Excel format with formatting capabilities. Adds the ability to apply formulas, charts, and styles.

PDF to XLS

Extract tabular data from PDFs into Excel format. Our converter identifies tables and reconstructs them as editable spreadsheets.

XML to XLS

Convert structured XML data to Excel spreadsheets for analysis and manipulation in Excel.

TXT to XLS

Import text data into Excel format. Useful for processing and analyzing text-based data in a spreadsheet environment.

DBF to XLS

Convert dBASE database files to Excel format. Essential for accessing legacy database data in a modern spreadsheet.

XLS Technical Specifications

  • Full name: Excel Binary File Format
  • Developer: Microsoft Corporation
  • Active versions: Excel 97-2003
  • File extension: .xls
  • MIME type: application/vnd.ms-excel
  • Structure: Binary (BIFF8 format)
  • Maximum rows: 65,536
  • Maximum columns: 256
  • Features: Formulas, charts, multiple sheets, macros

XLS Compatibility

Software That Opens XLS Files

  • Microsoft Excel (all versions)
  • Google Sheets (upload and convert)
  • LibreOffice Calc (free, cross-platform)
  • Apple Numbers (Mac)
  • WPS Office Spreadsheets
  • Most spreadsheet applications

XLS Limitations vs XLSX

  • Smaller row limit (65,536 vs 1,048,576)
  • Fewer columns (256 vs 16,384)
  • Larger file sizes due to binary format
  • Can contain macros (potential security risk)
  • Proprietary format, harder for third-party tools

How to Convert XLS Files

  1. Upload your XLS file - Drag and drop your legacy Excel file or click to browse. We handle all XLS versions.
  2. Choose your output format - Select XLSX to modernize, CSV for data extraction, PDF for sharing, or other formats.
  3. Download your converted file - Conversion preserves your data. Download immediately.

Pro Tip

XLS files have a 65,536 row limit. If your data is cut off after conversion, your original may have exceeded this limit in XLSX format. Split large datasets before converting to XLS.

Common Mistake

Assuming XLS and XLSX are interchangeable. XLS is a legacy format with significant limitations. Always use XLSX for new files; only use XLS when specifically required for old software compatibility.

Best For

XLS conversion is essential for modernizing legacy files from old systems, archives, or databases. Convert to XLSX for continued use, or to CSV for data extraction.

Not Recommended

Don't use XLS for new files. The format has row/column limits, security concerns with macros, and larger file sizes. Use XLSX for all new spreadsheet work.

Frequently Asked Questions

XLS is Microsoft Excel's older spreadsheet format used from Excel 97 through 2003. It's a binary file that stores data, formulas, charts, and formatting. XLS has been replaced by XLSX but remains common in legacy files.

XLS is the older binary format (1997-2003), while XLSX is the modern XML-based format (2007+). XLSX files are smaller, more secure, support more rows and columns, and are the current standard. Convert XLS to XLSX to modernize.

Upload your XLS file to ChangeMyFile and select XLSX as the output format. The conversion upgrades your file to the modern format while preserving all data, formulas, formatting, and charts.

Very old XLS files or corrupted files may not open in modern Excel. Try converting with our tool, which can often recover data from problematic XLS files. Also verify the file isn't password-protected.

Yes, upload your XLS file and select CSV as output. This extracts the data from the first sheet as comma-separated values, which works with any database or application.

Yes, converting to XLSX is recommended. XLSX files are smaller, more secure (can't contain macro viruses by default), and fully supported by all modern software. XLS should be considered a legacy format.

Yes, Google Sheets can open XLS files. Upload the file to Google Drive and open with Sheets. For guaranteed compatibility, convert to XLSX or CSV format first.

If someone needs a file compatible with Excel 2003 or earlier, upload your XLSX file and convert to XLS format. Be aware of the row and column limitations in XLS format.

Yes, ChangeMyFile supports batch conversion. Upload multiple XLS files and convert them all to XLSX or other formats simultaneously.

XLS files can contain macros that may pose security risks. When opening XLS files from unknown sources, keep macros disabled. Converting to XLSX removes macros by default (use XLSM to preserve them).

XLS Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.