Convert HST to XLS

Source format overview

HST is not a single universal file format. In practice, it is most often associated with MetaTrader history files, but the extension can also appear in other software contexts. Because of that, there is usually no direct, universal conversion from HST to XLS.

If your HST file comes from MetaTrader, it may contain price history or trading data that can sometimes be exported or reconstructed into a spreadsheet. If it comes from another program, you first need to identify the application that created it before any conversion is possible.

Target format overview

XLS is the classic Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format used for tables, calculations, charts, and data analysis. It is supported by Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and Apache OpenOffice Calc.

XLS is still widely recognized, but it is an older binary format. In many cases, XLSX is the better modern choice unless XLS is specifically required.

How to convert HST to XLS

Important: if the HST file is a proprietary history, cache, or log file, you usually cannot convert it directly with a normal file converter. You must first extract the data from the source program or use a specialized parser.

1. Identify the program that created the HST file. Check the file location, filename, and associated software. This tells you whether the file contains trading history, cached records, or another type of data.
2. Open the file in the original application if possible. In MetaTrader, look for export or history-related options such as File → Open Data Folder or platform-specific history export tools. If the software can export data, choose CSV or another tabular format first.
3. Convert the exported data to XLS. Open the CSV in Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc, then use File → Save As and select Excel 97-2003 Workbook (*.xls).
4. If no export option exists, use a specialized tool. For MetaTrader history files, a dedicated history viewer, script, or parser may be needed to extract rows into CSV, TXT, or another spreadsheet-friendly format before saving as XLS.
5. Verify the result. Open the spreadsheet and check that dates, prices, columns, and delimiters imported correctly before finalizing the .xls file.

Recommended software

Best desktop options: Microsoft Excel is the most reliable choice for saving a spreadsheet as XLS. LibreOffice Calc is a strong free alternative and can also export to XLS.

Reputable online converters: Online converters such as CloudConvert or Zamzar can help only after the HST data has already been extracted into a standard format like CSV. They generally cannot interpret proprietary HST contents on their own.

Compatibility notes

Direct HST to XLS conversion is usually not possible because HST is not a standard spreadsheet format. Success depends on the exact software that created the file and whether its data can be exported.

If the HST file contains structured records, converting first to CSV usually gives the best results. Some formatting, metadata, or embedded information may be lost during extraction. For large datasets, spreadsheet programs may slow down or limit what they can display, so a database tool or dedicated viewer may be useful before saving to XLS.