Convert XLS to CSV Online

CONVERT XLS to CSV ONLINE

1) Upload XLS file to convert

Drop files here, or Click to select

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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 XLS to CSV options

3) Get converted file

DOWNLOAD CONVERTED FILE

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Get Total Excel Converter to convert XLS, XLSX, ODT, XLSM, etc. safely.

Convert Excel Files in Batch!;
Convert XLS to CSV and in many other formats
Convert hundreds of spreadsheets in 3 clicks;
Both MS Office and OpenOffice files;
Have a desktop converter that works without Internet;
Keep your files safe, don't send them to the web;
Get more accurate results with the more poweful engine.

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Total Excel Converter

Total Excel Converter supports almost all Excel extensions: XLS, XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, XLT, XLTM, XLTX, XLK, XLW. When the new Office is released, we will add new file types too.

With Total Excel Converter you can convert Excel to PDF and add a digital signature in one go.

Total Excel Converter can convert each page of your spreadsheet into a separate file.

Tell Total Excel Converter to copy original time stamps if you don't want to change the date.

Have an outdated Microsoft Office 2003? Update all your old files to the new format in one go. Convert XLS files to XLSX in batches.

Total Excel Converter will help you to convert Excel 2003 XML Files (rare option!)

Total Excel Converter has a built-in renamer to give your files new descriptive names. Include a counter, a date or worksheet name into the file name and your files will be in perfect order.

Convert Excel spread sheets via our most straightforward interface.

The widest list of output file types: DOC, PDF, HTML, MHT, XHTML, CSV, TXT, TIFF, JPEG, SVG, RTF, XML, XLS, XLSX, ODS, ODT, Lotus, DIFF, SYLK, LATEX, SQL, DBF, Access!

Total Excel Converter can combine several Excel spread sheets into one TIFF or PDF file.

Want to quickly find a file? Total Excel Converter helps you to preview any document you select.

Add your logo or any other image to the header or the footer of the output file.

Want more order? Add page counters or a date to every page of the output files. Sequential numbering of several folders is avaialble.

Total Excel Converter can copy original time stamps if you want to keep them.

When you convert Excel to PDF you can set user permissions, password-protect your files or sign with a digital signature. Get PDF, PDF/A and non-searchable PDFs.

Total Excel Converter can be run via command line (get the ready-to-use command line from GUI).

How to convert XLS to CSV?

💾 Upload Your File: Go to the site, click on «Upload File,» and select your XLS file.

✍️ Set Conversion Options: Choose CSV as the output format and adjust any additional options if needed.

Convert and Download: Click 👉«Download Converted File»👈 to get your CSV file.

Cloud Based

There is no need to install any software to convert XLS to CSV with CoolUtils. Simply access the internet, and you can easily convert your file online with our service.

Secure

Our hardware operates in top-tier, highly secure data centers equipped with advanced electronic surveillance and multi-factor access control systems.

Ease of Use

Converting XLS to CSV online has never been so simple. Drop your .xls file and the converter parses the Excel Binary Workbook (BIFF format), evaluates all formulas to their results, and delivers UTF-8 comma-separated values — one CSV per sheet in a ZIP archive for multi-sheet workbooks. No Excel installation required.

Privacy

We understand the importance of privacy, which is why we've developed a comprehensive privacy policy detailing how we handle your files and personal information. You can read the policy here.

XLS File

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
Conversion type	XLS to CSV

CSV File

File extension	.CSV
Category	Document File
Description	CSV is a plain text format used for representing database tables. Each data box (cell) is enclosed in commas. Each line is a table row with data cells. It is a perfect format for transporting tables from one application to another. CSV files can be edited in OpenOffice Calc, MS Excel and many others. Being a plain text in actual fact, CSV tables are compatible with various text editing programs. It doesn't support formatting, so any data structuring is made with the use of special characters.
Associated programs	The CSV file format is very simple and supported by almost all spreadsheets and database management systems
Developed by	Microsoft
MIME type	text/csv
Useful links	More detailed information on CSV files

2026-04-30

We receive supplier price lists in XLS and need CSV for our database import scripts. Batch conversion of 30 files at once is a real time-saver.

Olena Kovalenko

2026-03-12

Exported sales data from an older Excel format into CSV to load into a PostgreSQL table. The delimiter and encoding came out correctly on the first try.

Marco Bianchi

2026-01-26

Migrating historical XLS reports into Google Sheets was simple once I converted them to CSV first. No data loss, even for sheets with merged cells.

Fatimah Al-Rashid

Rating XLS to CSV

4.8 (1340 votes)Rate It

XLS to CSV Converter — Frequently Asked Questions ▼

What happens to Excel formulas when converting XLS to CSV?

Formulas are evaluated to their calculated results before writing to CSV. The formula expression (=SUM(A1:A10)) is not stored in CSV — only the value the formula produced. This is a property of the CSV format: it stores data values only, not calculation logic.

Does the converter handle multi-sheet XLS workbooks?

Yes. Each sheet in the XLS workbook produces a separate CSV file. For a workbook with three sheets, the output is a ZIP archive containing three CSV files named after the original sheet names. Single-sheet workbooks produce a single CSV directly.

What delimiter does the output CSV use?

The default delimiter is a comma. For regional setups where Excel expects a semicolon (common in European locales that use commas as decimal separators), you can select semicolon or tab as the delimiter before converting. Check your import target's requirements before converting.

Are merged cells handled correctly?

Merged cells in XLS are expanded in the CSV output. The value of the merged cell is written into the top-left cell of the merged range; the remaining cells in the range are written as empty fields. This reflects the actual data structure without the visual merging.

What encoding does the CSV output use?

The output CSV is UTF-8 encoded. If you open the file in Excel on Windows and special characters appear garbled (umlauts, accented letters, Cyrillic), use the Text Import Wizard (Data → From Text/CSV) and specify UTF-8 encoding, rather than double-clicking the file which defaults to the system code page.

Can I convert a specific sheet only instead of all sheets?

The online converter processes the entire workbook. To convert a specific sheet, open the XLS in Excel or LibreOffice Calc, select the sheet, and use File → Save As → CSV to export just that sheet before uploading. For automated per-sheet selection in batch conversions, Total Excel Converter's command-line option -sheet lets you specify which sheet to export.

Is the conversion private? Are my XLS files stored on the server?

Files uploaded to the online converter are processed and deleted from the server immediately after conversion. No data is retained or shared. For sensitive financial or business data, the desktop Total Excel Converter runs entirely locally on your Windows machine without any file upload.

Convert XLS to CSV Online — Extract Spreadsheet Data as Plain Text

XLS files carry binary-encoded workbooks that most data pipelines cannot read directly. CSV strips away formatting, formulas, and binary encoding, leaving clean rows and columns that any database, script, or analytics tool ingests without a Microsoft Excel dependency. Drop an XLS file here and get a UTF-8 CSV in seconds — no Excel installation, no conversion software.

What Is XLS?

XLS is the Excel Binary Workbook format (BIFF, Binary Interchange File Format) used by Microsoft Excel 97 through 2003. It stores cell values, formulas, charts, multiple worksheets, named ranges, and rich formatting in a proprietary binary structure. The format was superseded by XLSX (Office Open XML) starting with Excel 2007, but XLS files remain in circulation in legacy enterprise systems, exported reports, and archived datasets from the early 2000s.

What Is CSV?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain-text tabular format where each row is a line and columns are separated by commas (or semicolons in some regional conventions). There is no formatting, no formulas, no multiple sheets — only raw data. CSV is the universal interchange format for databases, data science tools (pandas, R, NumPy), ETL pipelines, CRM systems, and spreadsheet applications. Every data-handling tool on every platform reads CSV.

Who Needs XLS to CSV Conversion?

Database administrators migrate legacy XLS reports into SQL tables via CSV import. Data scientists load XLS exports from old ERP systems into pandas DataFrames using pd.read_csv(). Web developers feed CSV data into JavaScript charting libraries without an Excel parsing dependency. Accountants export XLS ledgers to CSV for import into QuickBooks or Xero. System integrators convert XLS data dumps from legacy applications into formats accepted by modern APIs and ETL tools.

Limitations to Know Before Converting

Single sheet per file: CSV holds one sheet. Multi-sheet XLS files produce one CSV per sheet, delivered as a ZIP archive.
Formulas become values: The calculated result is preserved, not the formula expression.
No formatting: Cell colors, fonts, borders, and number formats are not stored in CSV.
Encoding: The converter outputs UTF-8. Open in Excel with the Text Import Wizard if special characters appear garbled.

XLS vs CSV — Format Comparison

Feature	XLS	CSV
File type	Binary workbook (BIFF)	Plain text
Multiple sheets	Yes	No (one sheet per file)
Formulas	Stored as expressions	Stored as calculated values
Formatting	Full (fonts, colors, borders)	None
Charts & images	Yes	No
Database import	Requires Excel/parser library	Native support everywhere
File size	Larger (binary overhead)	Compact (text only)
Human-readable	No	Yes (open in any text editor)

How to Convert XLS to CSV Online

Click Choose files or drag your .xls file onto the upload area.
The converter reads the XLS binary structure and identifies all worksheets.
Select the output delimiter if needed (comma, semicolon, or tab).
Click Convert. The XLS data is parsed, formulas evaluated to their results, and cell values written as plain text rows.
Download the CSV file. Multi-sheet workbooks are delivered as a ZIP containing one CSV per sheet.
Import into your database, script, or application directly.

Batch XLS to CSV with Total Excel Converter

The online converter handles individual uploads. For recurring exports from legacy systems or bulk conversion of XLS archive folders, Total Excel Converter (Windows, $29.90) processes entire directories overnight:

Convert all XLS files in a folder to CSV in one operation
Choose delimiter: comma, semicolon, tab, or pipe
Select which sheet to export per file, or export all sheets as separate CSVs
Command-line support for scheduling via Windows Task Scheduler
30-day free trial — no email or credit card required

Command-line example:
totalexcelconverter.exe C:\data\reports\ C:\output\ -c csv -sheet 1

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

Convert XLS to CSV Online

CONVERT XLS to CSV ONLINE

How to convert XLS to CSV?

XLS File

CSV File

XLS to CSV Converter — Frequently Asked Questions ▼

What happens to Excel formulas when converting XLS to CSV?

What happens to Excel formulas when converting XLS to CSV?

Does the converter handle multi-sheet XLS workbooks?

Does the converter handle multi-sheet XLS workbooks?

What delimiter does the output CSV use?

What delimiter does the output CSV use?

Are merged cells handled correctly?

Are merged cells handled correctly?

What encoding does the CSV output use?

What encoding does the CSV output use?

Can I convert a specific sheet only instead of all sheets?

Can I convert a specific sheet only instead of all sheets?

Is the conversion private? Are my XLS files stored on the server?

Is the conversion private? Are my XLS files stored on the server?

Convert XLS to CSV Online — Extract Spreadsheet Data as Plain Text

What Is XLS?

What Is CSV?

Who Needs XLS to CSV Conversion?

Limitations to Know Before Converting

XLS vs CSV — Format Comparison

How to Convert XLS to CSV Online

Batch XLS to CSV with Total Excel Converter

Convert from XLS

Convert to CSV