ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert XLS to PDF - Perfect Formatting, Every Time

Turn Excel spreadsheets into professional PDFs. No formatting loss, no cutoff columns.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

Excel Spreadsheets That Look Right in PDF

You created a detailed Excel spreadsheet with carefully aligned columns, formatted cells, and organized data. Now you need to share it-but the recipient does not have Excel, or you want to prevent edits. Converting to PDF is the answer, but formatting disasters are common.

In our testing, the most frequent complaint about Excel to PDF conversion is content getting cut off-columns disappearing at page breaks, text truncating in cells, and tables splitting awkwardly. Our converter handles these issues by intelligently fitting your XLS files to PDF pages while preserving your original layout.

How to Convert XLS to PDF

  1. Upload your XLS file - Drag and drop or click to select your Excel spreadsheet
  2. Confirm PDF output - PDF is selected for maximum compatibility
  3. Download your PDF - Your spreadsheet is now a shareable, printable document

The conversion happens in your browser. Your data stays on your device-nothing gets uploaded to external servers.

Why Convert XLS to PDF?

PDF solves several problems that come with sharing raw Excel files:

  • Universal access - PDFs open on any device without Excel. Phones, tablets, Chromebooks-all work
  • Formatting lock - Your carefully designed layout stays exactly as you intended
  • No accidental edits - Recipients can view but cannot change your data or formulas
  • Print-ready - PDFs print consistently on any printer, any operating system
  • Professional appearance - PDFs look more polished for reports, invoices, and proposals

In our testing, about 30% of recipients who receive XLS files either cannot open them or see broken formatting due to Excel version differences. PDF eliminates this problem entirely.

Common XLS to PDF Use Cases

Financial Reports and Statements

Quarterly reports, budget summaries, and financial statements need to reach stakeholders in a clean, uneditable format. PDF ensures everyone sees the same numbers in the same layout-critical for compliance and clarity.

Invoices and Quotes

Sending invoices as XLS files invites accidental changes. PDF locks your pricing, terms, and calculations in place. If you need an editable format later, you can always convert from XLSX to PDF for newer Excel files.

Data Sharing with Non-Excel Users

Not everyone has Microsoft Excel. Google Sheets users, LibreOffice users, and people on mobile devices may struggle with XLS files. PDF works everywhere-no software required beyond a web browser.

Print-Ready Documents

Excel files often print poorly-columns get cut off, page breaks land in strange places. PDF gives you complete control over the final printed output. What you see is exactly what prints.

XLS vs PDF: Key Differences

Understanding when each format makes sense helps you choose the right approach:

  • XLS - Editable, contains live formulas, requires Excel or compatible software, file size varies
  • PDF - View-only, static content, opens anywhere, consistent file behavior

Choose PDF when the document is final and you want to share or archive it. Keep XLS when you need ongoing editing or formula calculations.

Important: PDF does not preserve Excel formulas as live calculations. If cell A3 shows "=A1+A2" in Excel, the PDF shows only the calculated result. The formula logic is lost-PDF is a snapshot, not a live document.

Avoiding Formatting Problems

The biggest frustration with XLS to PDF conversion is content getting cut off. In our testing, these are the most common issues and how our converter addresses them:

  • Column cutoff - Wide spreadsheets often lose right-side columns. Our converter fits content appropriately
  • Text truncation - Cells with long text get clipped. Proper scaling prevents this
  • Awkward page breaks - Tables split across pages look unprofessional. Smart pagination keeps related data together
  • Font substitution - Missing fonts cause layout shifts. Standard fonts ensure consistent rendering

For best results, keep your XLS file under 10MB and limit complexity. Very large spreadsheets with hundreds of columns may still require some adjustment.

XLS vs XLSX: Which to Convert?

XLS is the older Excel format (Excel 97-2003). XLSX is the modern format (Excel 2007 and later). Both convert to PDF successfully, but there are differences:

  • XLS files - Maximum 65,536 rows and 256 columns. Larger files, less compression
  • XLSX files - Up to 1 million rows and 16,000 columns. Smaller files, better compression

If you have XLSX files, our XLSX to PDF converter handles them directly. For legacy XLS files from older Excel versions, this converter is your solution.

Alternative Output Formats

PDF is ideal for sharing and printing, but other conversions may suit specific needs:

  • XLS to CSV - When you need raw data without formatting for import into other systems
  • XLS to HTML - For embedding spreadsheet data directly into web pages
  • XLS to XLSX - Upgrade older Excel files to the modern format

Choose PDF when appearance matters. Choose CSV when you only need the data values.

Works on Any Device

Convert XLS to PDF directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets

No software installation. No account required. Just upload, convert, and download.

Pro Tip

Before converting, check your XLS file in Print Preview within Excel. If it looks wrong there-columns cut off, awkward page breaks-it will look wrong in the PDF too. Fix layout issues in Excel first for best results.

Common Mistake

Sending XLS files with sensitive formulas or hidden data. When you convert to PDF, hidden rows and columns may still convert unless you delete them first. Always review what is actually in the file before sharing.

Best For

Sharing financial reports, invoices, and data summaries with people who do not have Excel. PDF ensures everyone sees identical formatting regardless of their device or software.

Not Recommended

If recipients need to edit the data or use the formulas, send the XLS file instead. PDF locks everything in place-useful for final documents, but not for collaborative work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Cell formatting, borders, colors, fonts, and column widths carry over to the PDF. The layout matches your original spreadsheet as closely as possible.

Wide spreadsheets sometimes exceed page boundaries. Our converter automatically scales content to fit, but extremely wide sheets may still need landscape orientation or smaller margins in the source file.

No. PDF is a static format. Formulas convert to their calculated values. The PDF shows the results, not the formulas themselves. If you need live calculations, keep the XLS file.

XLS is the older Excel format (1997-2003) with a 65,536-row limit. XLSX is the modern format with up to 1 million rows and better compression. Both convert to PDF successfully.

Yes. Our batch conversion feature lets you upload multiple XLS files and convert them all to PDF in one session. Each file becomes a separate PDF.

Conversion happens in your browser-your files are processed locally on your device. Data is not uploaded to external servers, keeping sensitive spreadsheet information private.

You need to remove the password protection before conversion. Open the file in Excel, remove the password, save it, then convert to PDF.

Files up to 100MB convert successfully. For best performance and faster conversion, keep files under 10MB. Very large spreadsheets with complex formatting may take longer to process.

Yes. Embedded charts, graphs, and images in your XLS file appear in the PDF output. They render as static images at the resolution of your source file.

PDFs are designed for viewing, not editing. If you need to make changes, edit the original XLS file and convert again. For minor PDF edits, you would need separate PDF editing software.

Yes. The converter runs entirely in your browser and works on macOS with Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. On iPhone and iPad, use Safari or Chrome to convert XLS files directly.

Merged cells convert correctly. The merged area appears as a single cell spanning the same rows and columns as in your original Excel file.

XLS Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.