To convert XLS to Excel, choose your XLS spreadsheets above, adjust the options if needed and press "Convert to XLSX". The XLSX downloads instantly: free, with no sign-up, and the file never leaves your device.
About the XLS to Excel Converter
Need to turn a XLS file into XLSX? This free converter changes XLS spreadsheets into XLSX in a few seconds, right in your browser. People usually convert because XLS is a legacy format limited to 65,536 rows, while XLSX gives you an Excel workbook. XLSX files open in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, WPS Office, LibreOffice Calc and Apple Numbers.
Spreadsheets are read and written with SheetJS, the open-source spreadsheet engine used by thousands of data apps, so every sheet, row and value is handled accurately. Because everything happens on your own device, your spreadsheets are never uploaded, stored or seen by anyone else, which makes it safe for customer lists, salary sheets, GST data and API exports.
What to expect: every sheet in the workbook is converted; formulas are exported as their calculated values, while text such as PIN codes and phone numbers with leading zeros stays intact.
How to use the XLS to Excel Converter
- Click "Choose files" or drag your XLS spreadsheets onto the box. You can add several at once.
- Choose whether to convert all sheets or only the first one.
- Press "Convert to XLSX". The conversion runs on your device and shows its progress.
- Download each XLSX file, or use "Download all (ZIP)" when you converted several.
- Open the result in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to check it; your original XLS is never changed.
Tips & benchmarks
- Every sheet is kept and numbers stay numeric, so SUM and sorting work straight away in Excel.
- Merged cells are unmerged and their value is kept in the first cell, which keeps the data easy to filter and import.
- Keep the file name simple (letters, numbers and hyphens) if you plan to upload the XLSX to a website or government portal.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert XLS to XLSX?
Click "Choose files", select your XLS spreadsheets, adjust the options if you want, and press "Convert to XLSX". The XLSX downloads immediately; with several files you can download everything as one ZIP.
Is this XLS to XLSX converter free and safe?
Yes. It is completely free, with no sign-up, no daily limit and no watermark. The conversion runs inside your browser, so your spreadsheets never leave your phone or computer and nothing is stored on News Appite's servers.
Are formulas, formatting and all sheets kept?
Every sheet is converted (or only the first, if you choose). Formulas are exported as their current values, and cell colours and fonts are not carried over because formats such as CSV, JSON and SQL cannot store them.
Can I convert several XLS files at once?
Yes. Add as many XLS files as you like; they are converted one after another and you can download them individually or together as a ZIP.
Does it work on iPhone, Android and Mac?
Yes. The converter works in any modern browser, including Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox, on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, macOS and Linux. No app is needed.
What is the difference between XLS and XLSX?
XLS (Microsoft Excel 97–2003 Workbook) is a legacy binary spreadsheet best suited to older Excel versions, legacy ERP and bank systems and portals that only accept .xls. XLSX (Microsoft Excel Workbook (Office Open XML)) is a spreadsheet workbook best suited to working with data in Excel, Google Sheets and accounting or GST software.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no upload limit, because nothing is uploaded. The practical limit is your device's memory: files of a few hundred megabytes work on most computers, and phones handle smaller files comfortably.
Can I convert XLS to Excel offline?
The conversion itself runs on your device and nothing is uploaded. You only need an internet connection to open the page and, the first time, to download the conversion engine.
How do I convert XLS to Excel in Excel?
In Excel choose File → Save As and pick the format. This converter does it without Excel installed.
XLS ko Excel kaise kare?
Is page par "Choose files" dabaiye, apni XLS file chuniye aur "Convert to XLSX" par click kijiye. XLSX file turant download ho jaati hai. Ye bilkul free hai, sign-up nahi chahiye, aur aapki file kisi server par upload nahi hoti.
XLS vs XLSX: format comparison
| XLS | XLSX | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Microsoft Excel 97–2003 Workbook | Microsoft Excel Workbook (Office Open XML) |
| Type | Legacy binary spreadsheet | Spreadsheet workbook |
| Created by | Microsoft, Excel 97 (BIFF8) | Microsoft, Excel 2007 |
| Compression | Binary | ZIP-compressed XML |
| File extension | .xls | .xlsx |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-excel | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet |
| Best for | Older Excel versions, legacy ERP and bank systems and portals that only accept .xls | Working with data in Excel, Google Sheets and accounting or GST software |
| Opens in | every version of Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Google Sheets and WPS Office | Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, WPS Office, LibreOffice Calc and Apple Numbers |
What is a XLS file?
XLS is the binary format Excel used from 1997 to 2003. It is limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns per sheet, but many banks, ERPs and government portals still export or demand XLS files.
What is a XLSX file?
XLSX has been Excel's default format since 2007. One workbook can hold many sheets, formulas, number formats and up to 1,048,576 rows by 16,384 columns per sheet.
Need it the other way round? Use the Excel to XLS Converter.
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