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Convert csv to xls

Free online CSV to XLS converter

Convert CSV tables to legacy XLS workbooks while preserving delimiters, text fields, and encoding.

Convert CSV to XLS online - free

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How to convert csv to xls file

A CSV export may need to be delivered as .xls when a recipient, legacy application, or import workflow accepts only the older Excel workbook format. Saving it as XLS also allows formatting, formulas, multiple sheets, filters, and print settings that a CSV file cannot contain.

CSV and XLS formats

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain-text format for tabular data. Each record normally occupies one line, and fields are separated by a delimiter; commas are common, but semicolons, tabs, and other characters are also used. Quoted fields can contain delimiters or line breaks.

Databases, accounting packages, CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, reporting tools, and data loggers commonly export CSV because it is simple to generate and exchange. CSV stores values and field order only; it has no worksheets, cell formats, formulas, charts, images, column widths, filters, or print layout.

XLS is Microsoft Excel's legacy binary workbook format, most commonly associated with Excel 97–2003. An XLS workbook can contain multiple worksheets, formulas, cell styles, charts, frozen panes, filters, and page settings. Use it only when the receiving system specifically requires .xls; .xlsx is preferable for new workbooks when compatibility permits.

An XLS worksheet is limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns. A larger CSV must be split across worksheets or files, or saved as .xlsx if supported.

Convert the CSV file

Convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing software: upload the CSV, choose XLS as the output format, run the conversion, and download the workbook. Open the result in Excel or LibreOffice Calc to verify column boundaries, dates, identifiers, and non-ASCII characters.

For control over import settings, use a spreadsheet application.

Microsoft Excel steps

  1. Open a blank workbook and select Data → From Text/CSV.
  2. Select the CSV file. In the preview, choose the correct file origin/encoding and delimiter.
  3. For ZIP codes, account numbers, phone numbers, long identifiers, and fields with leading zeroes, select Transform Data and set the affected columns' data type to Text before loading.
  4. Select Load to import the table into the worksheet.
  5. Select File → Save As, then choose Excel 97-2003 Workbook (*.xls).
  6. Save the file and review any compatibility warning before accepting it.

Opening a CSV directly in Excel can apply the computer's regional delimiter and date rules without giving full import control. Use Data → From Text/CSV when field interpretation matters.

LibreOffice Calc steps

  1. Open the CSV in LibreOffice Calc.
  2. In the Text Import dialog, choose the source character set, delimiter, quote character, and, where needed, set sensitive columns to Text. Check the preview before continuing.
  3. Select File → Save As.
  4. Choose Excel 97–2003 (.xls) as the file type.
  5. When prompted, select Use Excel 97–2003 Format.

Data and compatibility checks

Conversion cannot restore formatting, formulas, charts, or multiple sheets that were absent from the CSV. The converted file normally begins as one worksheet containing the imported rows and columns.

Automatic type detection can alter values. For example, 001234 may become 1234, 03-04-2026 can be interpreted differently by locale, and identifiers longer than 15 digits can lose precision when treated as numbers. Import such columns as text.

Use UTF-8 when the exporting system supports it. If accented or non-Latin characters display incorrectly, import the CSV again using its actual encoding, such as UTF-8 or Windows-1252.

Fields beginning with =, +, -, or @ may be interpreted as spreadsheet formulas. Treat untrusted fields as text before opening or distributing the XLS file.

CSV vs XLS: format comparison

How the CSV and XLS formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.

Comparison of the CSV and XLS file formats
Property .CSV Comma-Separated Values .XLS Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
Open standard Yes No
Compression Uncompressed Both
Typical file size Small Medium
Opens in a web browser Yes, natively Partial
Further editing Easy Limited
Metadata support Basic Basic
Plain-text readable Yes No
Best used for Data exchange Data exchange
Introduced — 1987
Developer — Microsoft
MIME type text/csv application/vnd.ms-excel
Open CSV file Open XLS file

Suggested software and links: csv to xls converters

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Ability Spreadsheet

A fully featured spreadsheet program from Ability Office software suite
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Apache OpenOffice Calc

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Claris FileMaker Pro

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Excel Mobile

Mobile version of Microsoft Excel, previously known as Pocket Excel
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Full Convert

A powerful database to database converter
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LibreOffice Calc

Full-featured spreadsheet tool from LibreOffice suite
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Microsoft Access

A relational database management system from Microsoft Office
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Microsoft Excel

A popular spreadsheet application distributed with Microsoft Office suite or Microsoft 365 subscription.
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Navicat Premium

Fully-featured database development tool for Windows.
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Numbers

A native spreadsheet application from Apple for macOS
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PlanMaker

A handy spreadsheet editor from SoftMaker Office suite
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Pyspread

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WordPerfect Office

A spreadsheet software application formerly known as Corel Quattro Pro

Frequently asked questions

Is the CSV to XLS converter free?

Yes, converting CSV to XLS on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required.

How large can my CSV file be?

You can upload CSV files up to 1000 MB and convert up to 100 files at once in a single batch.

What happens to my uploaded files?

Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.

Do I need to install any software to convert CSV to XLS?

No. The CSV to XLS conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.

Did the conversion fail?

In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid CSV file for this CSV to XLS conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.

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Additional formats for
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