Free online XLTM to XLS converter

A legacy spreadsheet program or reporting system may accept .xls files but not the newer Excel template format .xltm. Converting the template produces a workbook that can be opened and edited in software limited to the older format.

What the XLTM format is

.xltm is the Office Open XML format for an Excel macro-enabled template. It can contain preset worksheets, formulas, formatting, and VBA macros; opening a template normally creates a new workbook based on it. Microsoft Excel is the main program used to create XLTM files, and LibreOffice can open them.

What the XLS format is

.xls is the Excel 97–2003 binary workbook format. It is useful when a recipient, older spreadsheet application, or business system does not support newer Excel formats. Unlike XLTM, XLS represents a workbook rather than a template, though XLS files can contain VBA macros.

How to convert XLTM to XLS

Online on 101convert.com

1. Upload the XLTM file to the converter on this page. Multiple files can be converted in one batch; the per-file size limit is shown on the page.
2. Start the conversion to XLS.
3. Download the converted file. The conversion runs on the server with LibreOffice.

Offline with desktop software

LibreOffice Calc is free and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Open the file using File → Open, then use File → Save As. Choose Excel 97–2003 (.xls) as the file type, save, and confirm use of the XLS format if prompted.

Microsoft Excel for Windows or macOS can also save the workbook as XLS. Open the XLTM file, then select File → Save As and choose Excel 97–2003 Workbook (*.xls). Excel may open the template as a new workbook; save that workbook under the desired XLS filename.

Compatibility and limitations

Saving as XLS can remove or alter features that the older format does not support. XLS is limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns per worksheet, and Excel may display a compatibility warning. Although XLS supports VBA, macros may not survive conversion by every program; verify any required macros in the saved file. The result is a workbook, not a reusable XLTM template.