Convert XLS to CSV Online Free

Extract data from legacy Excel .xls files into universal CSV format. Perfect for opening old spreadsheets without Microsoft Office or importing data into modern tools.

By ChangeThisFile Team · Last updated: March 2026

Quick Answer

To convert XLS to CSV, drop your legacy Excel file onto the ChangeThisFile converter. The old binary Excel format is parsed using SheetJS and converted to comma-separated values. Free, browser-based, no Excel needed, and your spreadsheet never leaves your device.

Free No signup required Files stay on your device Instant conversion Updated March 2026

Convert XLS to CSV

Drop your XLS file here to convert it instantly

Drag & drop your .xls file here, or click to browse

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XLS vs CSV: Format Comparison

Key differences between the two formats

Feature	XLS (Excel Legacy)	CSV
File format	Binary BIFF format (pre-2007 Excel)	Plain text with comma-separated values
Max rows	65,536 rows	No row limit
Multiple sheets	Supported	Single table only
Formulas	Supported with cell references	Not supported (values only)
Formatting	Fonts, colors, borders	None (plain text)
File size	Binary, moderately compact	Minimal, just raw data
Modern support	Legacy, being phased out	Universal, works everywhere

When to Convert

Common scenarios where this conversion is useful

Recovering data from old Excel files

Open legacy .xls files from the pre-2007 era without installing older versions of Excel. Convert to CSV to access the data in any modern application.

Database imports from legacy spreadsheets

Import data from old XLS files into modern databases by converting to CSV first. All major databases support CSV bulk import.

Migrating legacy data to modern systems

Convert archived XLS files to CSV as part of data migration projects when moving from legacy systems to modern platforms.

Data analysis without Excel

Convert XLS files to CSV for analysis in Python, R, or other data science tools without needing a legacy Excel installation.

Who Uses This Conversion

Tailored guidance for different workflows

Office Workers

Convert XLS documents to CSV for sharing with colleagues who use different software
Transform XLS reports to CSV for archiving or distribution to external stakeholders

Review the converted CSV for formatting changes, especially tables, headers, and page breaks

Convert to CSV as the final step after all edits are complete to avoid formatting drift

Students

Convert XLS lecture notes to CSV for submitting assignments in the required format
Transform XLS study materials to CSV for reading on tablets or e-readers

Double-check that fonts and special characters render correctly in the converted CSV file

Save a backup of your XLS original before converting, in case you need to make edits later

Professionals

Convert XLS contracts or proposals to CSV for secure, read-only distribution to clients
Transform XLS templates to CSV for use across different office suites and platforms

Verify that hyperlinks and cross-references still work after converting XLS to CSV

For legally sensitive documents, confirm the CSV output matches the XLS layout exactly

How to Convert XLS to CSV

1

Upload your XLS file

Drag and drop your .xls file onto the converter, or click to browse. Legacy Excel 97-2003 format (.xls) is fully supported.
2

Automatic conversion

Your legacy spreadsheet is parsed in the browser. Formulas are resolved to values. Formatting is stripped, leaving only the raw data.
3

Download the CSV result

Click Download to save your .csv file. Values are comma-separated with proper quoting for fields containing commas or newlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What versions of XLS are supported?

The converter supports Excel 97, 2000, 2002 (XP), and 2003 .xls files. These use the BIFF8 binary format that was standard before Excel 2007 introduced .xlsx.

Which sheet is converted?

The first sheet in the workbook is converted. If you need a different sheet, rearrange the sheet order before converting.

Are formulas preserved?

Formulas are resolved to their last calculated values. The CSV output contains computed results, not formula expressions.

How are dates handled?

Excel dates are converted to their text representation based on the cell format. Serial date numbers are converted to readable date strings.

What about merged cells?

Merged cells are unmerged. The value appears in the top-left cell of the original merge range, and remaining cells are empty.

Can I convert password-protected XLS files?

No. Password-protected XLS files cannot be parsed by the browser-based converter. Remove password protection first.

Do I need Microsoft Excel installed?

No. The converter parses XLS files directly in your browser using SheetJS. No Excel or Office installation is required.

Should I convert XLS to XLSX instead?

If you need to preserve formatting, formulas, and multiple sheets, convert to XLSX instead. CSV is best when you only need the raw data.

How large of an XLS file can I convert?

XLS files are limited to 65,536 rows by format. The converter handles all standard XLS files efficiently in your browser.

Is my data secure?

Yes. The conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your legacy spreadsheet data is never sent to any server.

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Need to convert programmatically?

Use the ChangeThisFile API to convert XLS to CSV in your app. No rate limits, up to 500MB files, simple REST endpoint.

View API Docs

Read our guides on file formats and conversion

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