Convert Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy) to OpenDocument Spreadsheet Online Free

Convert legacy Excel XLS files to OpenDocument Spreadsheet format for full compatibility with LibreOffice Calc and open-standards data workflows.

Quick Answer

ChangeThisFile converts your legacy Excel Spreadsheet to OpenDocument Spreadsheet using LibreOffice on our secure servers, preserving cells, formulas, charts, and formatting. ODS is the ISO-standardized open format for spreadsheets. Encrypted upload, automatic file deletion, completely free with no signup required.

Free, no signup Under 1 minute

Convert Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy) to OpenDocument Spreadsheet

Drop your Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy) file here to convert it instantly

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

Convert to OpenDocument Spreadsheet instantly

Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy) vs OpenDocument Spreadsheet: Format Comparison

Key differences between the two formats

Feature	Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy)	OpenDocument Spreadsheet
File format	Binary Compound File (.xls)	XML container (.ods / ZIP)
Specification	Microsoft BIFF binary format	ISO/IEC 26300
Developed by	Microsoft	OASIS consortium
Primary application	Microsoft Excel 97-2003	LibreOffice Calc, OpenOffice Calc
License	Proprietary binary	Open standard (royalty-free)
Max rows/columns	65,536 rows / 256 columns	1,048,576 rows / 1,024 columns
Formula compatibility	Excel formula syntax	OpenFormula standard

When to Convert

Common scenarios where this conversion is useful

Migrating legacy XLS data to open formats

Convert old XLS spreadsheet archives to the ISO-standardized ODS format to reduce proprietary format dependency and improve long-term data access.

LibreOffice Calc adoption

Convert XLS files to ODS when transitioning from Microsoft Excel to LibreOffice Calc for ongoing data analysis and editing.

Government open-data compliance

Public sector organizations with open-standards requirements must store and exchange spreadsheet data in ODS rather than proprietary binary formats.

Removing XLS row/column limits

ODS supports more rows and columns than the legacy XLS format, making it suitable for larger datasets.

Open-source data pipeline integration

Integrate spreadsheet data into open-source analytics and data processing tools that natively support ODS format.

How to Convert Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy) to OpenDocument Spreadsheet

1

Upload your Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy) file

Drag and drop your .xls file onto the converter, or click to browse. Files up to 50 MB are supported for free.
2

Server-side conversion with LibreOffice

Your file is securely uploaded and converted on our servers using LibreOffice Calc headless, reading the binary XLS format and writing a standards-compliant ODS file.
3

Download the result

Once conversion is complete, click Download to save your .ods file. The uploaded file is automatically deleted from our servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the XLS to OpenDocument Spreadsheet conversion free?

Yes, completely free. Convert XLS to ODS with no cost, no signup, and no watermarks.

Will formulas be preserved when converting XLS to ODS?

Yes. Standard Excel formulas are preserved and converted to OpenFormula-compatible equivalents. Very complex or Excel-specific proprietary functions may need manual adjustment.

Will charts and pivot tables be preserved?

Charts are preserved in the output ODS file. Pivot table structures are carried over, though complex pivot configurations may vary slightly between formats.

Is my file kept on your servers?

No. Files are automatically deleted immediately after conversion. Nothing is stored or retained.

Is the transfer secure?

Yes. Files are transferred over encrypted HTTPS connections. Your data is protected in transit.

What technology powers this conversion?

The conversion uses LibreOffice Calc headless on our servers, which has extensive XLS binary format support developed through years of reverse engineering.

Can I open the ODS in Google Sheets?

Yes. Google Sheets can import and edit ODS files directly, in addition to LibreOffice Calc and OpenOffice Calc.

Are cell styles and colors preserved?

Yes. Cell formatting, colors, borders, fonts, and number formats are preserved in the output ODS file.

Will Excel VBA macros be in the ODS output?

VBA macros from XLS files are not transferred to ODS. ODS uses a different macro language (Basic). Spreadsheet data and formulas are fully preserved.

What is the maximum file size?

Files up to 50 MB are supported for free conversion.

Related Conversions

Ready to convert your file?

Convert Excel Spreadsheet (Legacy) to OpenDocument Spreadsheet instantly — free, no signup required.

Start Converting