Free online WB2 to XLS converter

A WB2 file may need conversion when a recipient, accounting system, or legacy application accepts Excel’s .xls format but cannot open Quattro Pro workbooks. Exporting to XLS also makes the spreadsheet usable in Microsoft Excel and other programs without WB2 support.

What the WB2 format is

.wb2 is a legacy spreadsheet format associated with Corel Quattro Pro. It can contain cell values, formulas, formatting, multiple worksheets, charts, and print settings. WB2 files are mainly found in older business archives, departmental file shares, and applications built around Quattro Pro.

What the XLS format is

.xls is Microsoft Excel’s binary workbook format used primarily by Excel 97–2003. Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Apache OpenOffice Calc, and many older document-management or accounting systems can open it.

XLS is appropriate when a recipient or legacy system specifically requires Excel 97–2003 format. It is less capable than the newer .xlsx format and has lower worksheet size limits, but it remains useful for compatibility with older software.

How to convert WB2 to XLS

Using Corel Quattro Pro

1. Open the .wb2 file in a Quattro Pro version that supports the workbook.
2. Inspect important worksheets, formulas, dates, charts, column widths, and print areas before exporting.
3. Choose File → Save As.
4. Select the Microsoft Excel 97–2003 workbook or .xls output type, enter a new filename such as report.xls, and save the file.
5. Open the resulting file in Excel or LibreOffice Calc and verify the worksheets and calculated results.

Using LibreOffice Calc

1. Open LibreOffice Calc and choose File → Open.
2. Select the WB2 file. Change the file filter to All files if the extension is not shown.
3. If the installed Calc version supports the WB2 import filter, allow it to load the workbook.
4. Choose File → Save As, select Excel 97–2003 (*.xls), and save a copy under a new filename.
5. When Calc displays a format warning, choose Use Excel 97–2003 Format, then reopen the XLS file to check it.

If desktop software cannot open the file, the built-in converter on 101convert.com can convert it for free without installing software. Do not upload confidential workbooks unless the transfer complies with your organization’s privacy and retention rules.

Quality and compatibility limits

WB2 features do not always have exact XLS equivalents. Check formulas, named ranges, charts, conditional formatting, merged cells, fonts, page breaks, print areas, and worksheet order after conversion.

Quattro Pro-specific functions may become errors or fixed values. Macros, external links, workbook protection, embedded objects, and other proprietary features may be removed or changed. Compare important calculated results with the original WB2 file before distributing the XLS copy.

Each XLS worksheet supports a maximum of 65,536 rows and 256 columns. Data beyond those limits may be truncated or require splitting before export. Keep the original WB2 file as the archival copy.