XLS to XLSX
Bring old Excel 97-2003 workbooks into the modern XLSX format that every app opens.
or drop them here · up to 50 MB per file, free
Bigger files? Pro converts files up to 500 MBOver the free limits: you can unlock the download from €1.99.
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Free · No sign-up · No watermark · Your files never leave your device
XLS to XLSX in 3 steps
- Select your XLS files, or drop them on the box.
- Click Convert to XLSX.
- Download the XLSX file, or all of them in a ZIP.
Why update XLS files to XLSX
XLS is the binary format of Excel 97 to 2003. Newer apps, online forms and import tools increasingly accept only XLSX, Excel opens old files in Compatibility Mode, and XLS is limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns. XLSX is the zipped XML format used since Excel 2007: usually smaller, and readable by Google Sheets, Numbers, LibreOffice and every data tool.
The converter copies every sheet with its values, formulas, number and date formats, merged cells and column widths. Cell styling such as fonts, fill colours and borders is not carried over, and neither are charts, pictures, macros or pivot tables, so check workbooks that rely on them. For data, lists and calculations the result is ready to use.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert XLS to XLSX?
Select the XLS file and click Convert to XLSX. The new workbook downloads straight away with all its sheets. You can convert up to 20 files at once and get them together in a ZIP. Your original XLS file is not changed.
Are formulas kept when converting?
Yes. Formulas are copied as formulas, together with their last calculated values, so they keep working when you open the XLSX in Excel, Google Sheets or LibreOffice. Formulas that link to other workbooks keep their reference but may need the other file to update.
Is the formatting kept?
Number formats such as dates, currencies and percentages, merged cells and column widths are kept. Fonts, colours, borders and conditional formatting are not, because the converter focuses on the data. Charts, images and macros are also left out.
What is the difference between XLS and XLSX?
XLS is the older binary Excel format, limited to 65,536 rows per sheet. XLSX, used since Excel 2007, is a compressed XML format that holds over a million rows, is usually smaller and is supported by every modern spreadsheet app.
Is my spreadsheet uploaded to a server?
No. The workbook is read and converted inside your browser on your own device, so customer lists, prices and payroll data are never sent to us or stored anywhere. Once the page has loaded it works even offline.