Convert XLS to CSV online, one file per sheet, ready to import into any system. Upload files up to 20GB and download the converted result in a few clicks.
Drag & Drop your XLS file here
XLS files, up to 20GB
Files stay private.
Automatically deleted after 24 hours.
Link
20GB upload limit.
4.8/5
Trusted for 1,827,796+ conversions
HOW IT WORKS
Three steps, no account, nothing to install.
01
Upload your XLS files
Drag in .xls workbooks from Excel, an accounting system or a report export.
02
Convert to CSV
Start the conversion. LibreOffice calculates the formulas and writes each sheet's values as a CSV file.
03
Download the CSV
Download the CSV, or one ZIP with a CSV per sheet when the workbook has several.
XLS
XLS is the Excel 97-2003 workbook format, a binary file limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns per sheet.
CSV
CSV is plain-text tabular data, one row per line with values separated by commas, readable by every spreadsheet and database.
FILE FORMATS
SOURCE
Excel used the binary XLS format from Excel 97 until 2007. It stores sheets, formulas, charts, formatting and VBA macros, but each sheet stops at 65,536 rows and 256 columns. Old reports, accounting exports and many web app downloads still arrive as .xls, and some of those are really CSV or HTML with the wrong name.
TARGET
Comma-separated values is the simplest way to move a table between programs. Each line is a row, and quotes protect values that contain commas or line breaks. CSV has no formulas, formatting or multiple sheets, which is exactly why databases, CRMs, accounting tools and data scripts all import it.
| Feature | XLS | CSV |
|---|---|---|
| Developed by | Microsoft | No owner (RFC 4180) |
| File extension | .xls | .csv |
| Editable | Yes | Yes (text) |
| Layout | Grid of cells | Rows of values |
| Best for | Excel 97-2003 and legacy systems | Importing data into other systems |
| Opens in | Excel, LibreOffice, Google Sheets | Spreadsheets, databases, code |
USE CASES
When the data needs to move into another system.
Import an old report into a database
Load XLS data into MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQLite as CSV.
Upload contacts to a CRM
CRMs and email tools import contacts from CSV.
Feed data to a Python or R script
Scripts read CSV without Excel libraries.
Move accounting exports into new software
Old systems export XLS; new ones import CSV.
Split a multi-sheet workbook
Each sheet becomes its own CSV file.
Prepare a product feed
Shopping and marketplace feeds often use CSV.
Share data with non-Excel users
Any text editor or spreadsheet opens CSV.
Version data in Git
CSV diffs cleanly in version control.
Load data into BI tools
Power BI, Tableau and Looker Studio import CSV.
Clean up legacy data
Strip formatting and keep only the values.
SUPPORTED FILES
XLS workbooks from Excel and other spreadsheet apps are supported.
Workbooks with any number of sheets.
Each formula's calculated value is written to the CSV.
CSV and HTML files saved as .xls are read too.
Up to XLS's limit of 65,536 rows per sheet.
Upload several workbooks and download all the CSVs as a ZIP.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Most issues appear when the CSV is opened again, not during conversion.
01
Excel strips leading zeros when it opens a CSV. Import the file with the column set to Text, or use Google Sheets.
02
CSV holds values only, with no formatting, colors, formulas or charts.
03
Each sheet becomes its own CSV, because a CSV can hold only one table.
04
CSV stores dates as text. The program that opens the CSV decides how to show them.
05
Open the CSV through Excel's Data > From Text/CSV import and choose UTF-8.
06
Password-protected workbooks need the password removed before converting.
Excel, Google Sheets and a few lines of Python can do this conversion if you have them set up. dragdropdo converts XLS to CSV in the browser, with nothing to configure.
| What matters | dragdropdo | Spreadsheet Apps and Scripts |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing to install | ✓Yes. Runs in any modern browser. | ~Spreadsheet apps or a Python setup. |
| Works on phones and tablets | ✓Yes. Desktop, Android, iPhone and iPad. | ~Spreadsheet apps work on phones; scripts don't. |
| Batch conversion | ✓Yes. Add many files and download one ZIP. | ~Scripts can; spreadsheet apps go one file at a time. |
| Share finished files | ✓Yes. Send a unique link from the result page. | ~You upload and share the files yourself. |
| Pricing | ✓Free with daily limits. $2.99 or $6.99 passes for unlimited use, no monthly plan. | ~Free (Google Sheets, LibreOffice, Python) to subscription (Excel). |
| Choosing the output layout | ✓Not in the converter. The layout is fixed. | ~Yes, with export options or code. |
Other tools use different pricing, limits and workflows. This comparison describes dragdropdo's own features without assuming every other tool works the same way.
1.8M+
Files converted
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4.8
Average rating
from our users
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Avg. conversion
per file
0
Files kept
Auto-delete in 24h
WHY DRAGDROPDO
Convert XLS to CSV in your browser, with nothing to install and nothing kept after 24 hours.
Private by default
Files are encrypted in transit and deleted from our servers automatically after 24 hours.
No install required
Convert in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone or iPad. No app and no sign-up wall.
Big files and batches
Upload files up to 20GB each, add several at once, and download the results one by one or as a ZIP.
Share & download
Save finished files to your device or pass them on with a share link from the result page.
MORE XLS TOOLS
XLS is a proprietary spreadsheet file format created by Microsoft Excel, widely used for data representation, analysis, and storage. Featuring advanced calculation capabilities, users can create complex formulas, charts, and pivot tables. XLS files efficiently handle large datasets while maintaining compatibility with various applications, making them essential for business and educational purposes.
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FAQ
Answers to common questions about dragdropdo's XLS to CSV converter.
