Convert IGY to XLS

Understanding IGY and XLS file formats

IGY files are Microsoft Excel Web Query files. They contain instructions for Excel to fetch data from the web and import it into a spreadsheet. IGY files do not store actual data, but rather the query parameters and web addresses for data retrieval.

XLS files are the classic Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet format, used to store data, formulas, charts, and formatting in a binary file. XLS files are widely supported and can be opened by many spreadsheet applications.

Why convert IGY to XLS?

Converting an IGY file to XLS allows you to save the web-fetched data as a static spreadsheet. This is useful for sharing, archiving, or further analysis without needing to re-run the web query each time.

How to convert IGY to XLS

Since IGY files are instructions for Excel, the conversion process involves opening the IGY file in Excel, letting it fetch the data, and then saving the resulting spreadsheet as an XLS file.

1. Open Microsoft Excel.
2. Go to File → Open and select your IGY file.
3. Excel will execute the web query and import the data into a new worksheet.
4. Once the data is loaded, go to File → Save As.
5. Choose XLS as the file format and save your file.

Best software for IGY to XLS conversion

The most reliable tool for this conversion is Microsoft Excel itself, as it natively supports IGY files and can save spreadsheets in XLS format. Alternative spreadsheet programs like LibreOffice Calc or Google Sheets do not support IGY files directly.

Tips and considerations

• Ensure you have an active internet connection, as IGY files require web access to fetch data.
• If the web source changes or is unavailable, the IGY file may not import data correctly.
• After saving as XLS, the data becomes static and will not update automatically from the web.