XLSX to XLS Converter — Save Excel Files in 97–2003 Format
XLSX to XLS Converter: convert spreadsheets between XLS, XLSX and ODS while keeping formulas, number formats, merged cells and every sheet.
Free, with no sign-up and no watermark. The file is processed in your browser and never uploaded.
Convert spreadsheets between the modern Excel format (.xlsx), the old Excel 97–2003 format (.xls) and OpenDocument (.ods). Every sheet, cell value, number format, merged cell and column width comes across, and formulas are kept when converting to XLSX or ODS.
You can convert several files in one go; more than one result downloads as a ZIP.
Step by step
- Add spreadsheets: Click Upload spreadsheets — XLS, XLSX, XLSB, ODS or Numbers.
- Choose the target: Under Convert to, pick Excel (.xlsx), Excel 97–2003 (.xls) or OpenDocument (.ods).
- Convert: Click the Convert to … button and save the file (or ZIP).
Handy for
Old attachments
Upgrade .xls files from older systems so modern Excel opens them without compatibility mode.
Legacy software
Save an .xlsx as .xls for tools that only read the old format.
LibreOffice users
Swap files between Excel and LibreOffice Calc.
Apple Numbers
Turn a .numbers file into an Excel workbook.
Good to know
The .xls format is limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns; the tool stops with a clear message if a sheet is bigger.
When saving as .xls, formulas are written as their calculated values. Formulas inside old .xls files are also read as values.
Charts, images, pivot tables and macros are not carried over — keep the original if you need them.
Questions
Will my formulas still work?
Yes when the result is .xlsx or .ods and the source is .xlsx, .xlsb or .ods. The old .xls format is read and written as values only.
Can it open password-protected files?
No — remove the password in your spreadsheet app first.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Every conversion runs inside your browser on your own device. Your files are never sent to a server, so confidential spreadsheets, contracts and photos stay private.
More Office Formats tools
- ODS to Excel — Convert OpenDocument spreadsheets from LibreOffice or OpenOffice to Excel XLSX, with formulas and sheets intact.
- ODT to PDF — Convert OpenDocument Text files to PDF with headings, lists, tables, images and real selectable text.
- ODT to Word — Turn OpenDocument Text files into editable Word documents with headings, lists, tables and images.
- RTF to PDF — Convert Rich Text Format files from WordPad or TextEdit to PDF or editable Word, keeping formatting and pictures.
- Text, Markdown & HTML to Word — Create an editable Word document from plain text, Markdown or HTML with real headings, lists, tables and links.
- Word to JPG — Save each page of a Word document — or each slide or sheet — as a JPG or PNG image at the resolution you choose.