Convert CRTX to XLS

Understanding crtx and xls file formats

CRTX files are Microsoft Office Chart Template files. They store chart formatting, styles, and layouts, allowing users to apply consistent chart designs across multiple Excel documents. However, CRTX files do not contain actual data—they only store chart appearance and settings.

XLS files are the classic Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet format. They store tabular data, formulas, charts, and more, and are widely used for data analysis and reporting.

Can you convert crtx to xls?

Direct conversion from CRTX to XLS is not possible because a CRTX file does not contain spreadsheet data—only chart formatting. However, you can apply a CRTX chart template to data in Excel and then save the resulting spreadsheet as an XLS file.

How to apply a crtx template and save as xls

1. Open Microsoft Excel and enter or open the data you want to visualize.
2. Select your data and insert a chart (e.g., Insert → Charts).
3. With the chart selected, go to Chart Tools → Design → Change Chart Type → Templates.
4. Click Manage Templates and select your CRTX file to apply the template to your chart.
5. Once the chart is formatted, save your file as File → Save As and choose XLS as the file type.

Best software for crtx to xls workflow

The best and most reliable software for this process is Microsoft Excel (2010 or newer). Excel natively supports both CRTX and XLS formats, ensuring full compatibility and accurate chart rendering.

Summary

While you cannot directly convert a CRTX file to XLS, you can use Excel to apply the chart template to your data and save the result as an XLS file. This workflow preserves your chart formatting within a spreadsheet.