Need help? Reach us at 
+1 (855) 418-2323
Need help? Reach us at
+1 (855) 418-2323
File Converters TIFF and PDF apps Forensic Freeware1) Upload TSV file to convert
Drop files here, or Click to select
Allowed file types: fasta, qif, ofx, iif, srt, ics, excel, ris, bib, ods, xls, xlsx, xlsm, csv, tsv, tab, xlsb, xltx, xlr, pxl, qpw, wb3, wq1, dbf, wk3, 123, mdb, evtx, pages, numbers, sqlite
2) Set converting TSV to XLS options
3) Get converted file
This free tool converts one file at a time. Total Excel Converter does it in bulk - whole folders at once, recursively, and from the command line or a .bat script.
💾 Upload Your File: Go to the site, click on «Upload File,» and select your TSV file.
✍️ Set Conversion Options: Choose XLS as the output format and adjust any additional options if needed.
Convert and Download: Click 👉«Download Converted File»👈 to get your XLS file.
| File extension | .TSV |
| Category | Document File |
| Description | TSV facilitates exchange of tabular database between utilities using a variety of extensions. TSV files look like textual tables and are compiled of records (lines), which, in turn, are made up of fields. Each field forms a succession of characters, except TAB symbols, which serve as field separators. The top line is indeed the header, since it sets names for each field and defines their function, and the remaining lines have as many fields as the top one. TSVs can be rendered in utilities designed for creating databases and electronic tables. These materials can be conveniently exported to Excel. |
| Associated programs | |
| Developed by | |
| MIME type | text/tab-separated-values |
| Useful links | More detailed information on TSV files |
| Conversion type | TSV to XLS |
| File extension | .XLS |
| Category | Document File |
| Description | XLS is the most popular format for storing table data. It is native Microsoft Excel format with data stored in numbered cells that form columns and rows. The top line and left column of each table contains numbering of each cell that can contain either static or dynamic data that is calculated from formulas. XLS features powerful calculation and charts-building options, as well as rich text formatting. XLS is compatible with numerous table editors such as Calc, PlanMaker, OpenOffice, etc. |
| Associated programs | Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel Viewer OpenOffice |
| Developed by | Microsoft |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| Useful links | More detailed information on XLS files |
2024-04-07 2024-06-10
TSV (Tab-Separated Values) files store tabular data as plain text with tab characters separating columns. They are the default export format of bioinformatics tools, genomics pipelines, R and Python data frames, database query tools, and analytics platforms. TSV sidesteps the ambiguity of CSV — fields can contain commas, semicolons, and decimal separators without quoting complexity. Converting TSV to Excel makes the data immediately usable in spreadsheets, pivot tables, and reporting without custom parsers or import dialogs.
Both TSV and CSV store tabular data as plain text. The only difference is the field delimiter: TSV uses a tab character, CSV uses a comma. That difference matters in these scenarios:
| Property | XLS (Excel 97–2003) | XLSX (Excel 2007+) |
|---|---|---|
| Row limit | 65,536 | 1,048,576 |
| Column limit | 256 | 16,384 |
| File size | Larger (binary format) | Smaller (compressed XML) |
| Compatibility | All Excel versions; LibreOffice; Google Sheets | Excel 2007+; LibreOffice; Google Sheets |
| Best for | Legacy systems that reject XLSX | Any modern use — analytics, large data |
| Recommendation | Use only when required | Default choice for all new work |
Most TSV files now exceed 65,536 rows — genomics tables, log dumps, and analytics exports routinely run to millions of rows. XLSX is the correct default. Use XLS only when the recipient's system explicitly requires it.
| Feature | Online | Desktop (Total CSV Converter) |
|---|---|---|
| Batch conversion | One file at a time | Entire folders in one run |
| File size limit | 50 MB | No limit |
| Custom delimiter | Tab auto-detected | Tab, comma, semicolon, pipe, or custom |
| Privacy | File uploaded to server | Stays on your machine |
| Price | Free | From $29.90 |
To convert an entire folder of TSV files to Excel in a single run, use Total CSV Converter. It handles tab-delimited files, preserves column types, and runs from the command line for automated data pipelines:
csvconverter.exe /S "C:\Data\*.tsv" /F XLS /O "C:\Excel-Output"
Ideal for nightly genomics pipeline exports, batch analytics report processing, and database export automation where hundreds of TSV files need to be converted on a schedule. 30-day free trial, no credit card required.
| Feature | Online Converters | CoolUtils Desktop | Excel Built-in | Other Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batch Conversion | Limited | ✅ Unlimited | Manual only | Limited |
| File Size Limit | 1-5MB | ✅ No limits | System dependent | Varies |
| Privacy & Security | Upload required | ✅ 100% offline | ✅ Local only | Varies |
| Conversion Speed | Internet dependent | ✅ Fast local processing | Slow | Medium |
| Advanced Options | Basic | ✅ Full customization | Limited | Basic |
| Cost | Free/Premium | One-time purchase | Requires Office | Subscription |
| Formatting Preservation | Good | ✅ Excellent | Good | Varies |
| Multiple Formats Support | Limited | ✅ 40+ formats | Few formats | Limited |
