Free online XLSX to ODS converter

A recipient may require an .ods workbook because they use LibreOffice Calc or Apache OpenOffice Calc, or because an organization stores spreadsheets in the OpenDocument standard. Converting creates an editable ODF copy without changing the original Excel file.

What XLSX is

XLSX is Microsoft Excel’s default workbook format, introduced with Excel 2007. It is an Office Open XML workbook: a ZIP-based package containing XML files for worksheets, formulas, cell styles, charts, shared text, relationships, and other workbook data.

Microsoft Excel creates XLSX files, and many systems export spreadsheets in this format, including business applications, database tools, Google Sheets, and Apple Numbers. An XLSX workbook can contain multiple sheets, formulas, tables, charts, comments, data validation, and print settings.

What ODS is

ODS is the spreadsheet format of the OpenDocument Format (ODF), an open standard maintained by OASIS and standardized as ISO/IEC 26300. LibreOffice Calc and Apache OpenOffice Calc use ODS as their native spreadsheet format.

An ODS file is also a compressed XML-based package containing worksheet data, formulas, formatting, charts, and embedded objects. It is suitable when collaborators edit files in LibreOffice-based software or when an open, vendor-neutral document format is required.

Microsoft Excel can open and save ODS files, but its support is not identical to Calc. Keep ODS as the working format only when the required users and software support it.

Convert the file

To convert without installing software, upload the .xlsx file to 101convert.com, choose ODS as the output format, start the conversion, and download the resulting .ods file. Do not upload confidential, regulated, or sensitive workbooks unless the service's data-handling terms meet your requirements.

For local conversion, use LibreOffice Calc:

1. Open the source workbook with File → Open.
2. Review worksheets, formulas, charts, and page layout before saving.
3. Select File → Save As.
4. Choose ODF Spreadsheet (.ods) as the file type.
5. Enter a new filename, such as budget-converted.ods, and select Save.
6. If Calc asks which format to use, select Use ODF Format.

For batch conversion with LibreOffice installed, create an output folder and run:

libreoffice --headless --convert-to ods --outdir output input.xlsx

On Windows, the executable may be soffice.exe rather than libreoffice. Use separate output directories when converting files with identical names from different folders.

Compatibility checks

Values, ordinary formulas, cell formatting, merged cells, worksheets, and many charts usually transfer correctly. Check every worksheet after conversion if the workbook is used for reporting, accounting, operational decisions, or automated import.

Excel-specific features may change, disappear, or require manual rebuilding. Common problem areas include Power Query connections, Power Pivot data models, ActiveX controls, slicers, some conditional-formatting rules, external links, advanced data validation, and certain chart types.

Standard .xlsx files do not contain VBA macros; macro-enabled Excel workbooks normally use .xlsm. LibreOffice has limited VBA compatibility, but converting an .xlsm workbook to ODS does not reliably preserve or run VBA code. Retain the original macro-enabled file and test any macros separately.

Formula results can differ because Excel and Calc do not implement every function, add-in function, locale rule, or calculation behavior in the same way. In Calc, use Data → Calculate → Recalculate Hard, then compare key totals, dates, lookup results, and error cells such as #NAME?, #VALUE!, and #REF!.

Password-protected workbooks must be opened with the password before conversion. Keep the original XLSX unchanged until the ODS file has been reviewed and accepted.