What quality should I expect from the TSV output?

Our converter preserves as much fidelity as TSV File allows. Where Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet carries information that TSV File cannot represent, that information is mapped to the closest equivalent (for example, color spaces, codec parameters, or metadata fields). For most everyday uses the result is indistinguishable from the source.

Are styles, images, and tables preserved when converting XLS to TSV?

Most styling is preserved: headings, paragraphs, lists, basic tables, and inline images. Complex elements like advanced table formatting, footnotes, or custom theming may shift slightly because Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet and TSV File use different document models. Always review the TSV output before sending it on, especially for documents that depend on precise layout.

What file size should I expect for the TSV output?

The output size depends on the content and the compression characteristics of TSV File. In most cases the TSV file will be in the same ballpark as your XLS input, with differences driven by how each format encodes data. There is no fixed ratio — the converter does not change quality settings unless you ask it to.

When should I convert XLS to TSV instead of staying with XLS?

Convert when the application, device, or workflow you are targeting prefers TSV File over Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet. If your current XLS file already opens and behaves correctly everywhere you need it to, there is no benefit to converting — keep the original. The most common reasons to switch are compatibility (a tool only accepts TSV), distribution (recipients expect TSV), or feature requirements specific to TSV File.

What is the maximum XLS file size I can convert?

MegaConvert accepts XLS files up to 100 MB on the free service, which is enough for the vast majority of real-world Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet files. If you have a larger file (typical for high-resolution video or uncompressed audio), please contact us — we can sometimes accommodate larger uploads for legitimate use cases.

Is my XLS file safe and private when I upload it?

Yes. Your XLS file is uploaded over HTTPS, processed in an isolated job environment, and deleted from our servers within one hour. We do not read, index, store, or share the contents of your file. No account is required, so the upload is not associated with a personal identity. See our privacy policy for the full details.

Convert XLS to TSV

Free online XLS to TSV converter. No signup required.

Drag & drop your file here

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Max file size: 100 MB

Why Convert XLS to TSV?

Understand when and why this conversion makes sense for your workflow.

Converting Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet to TSV File addresses one of the most practical challenges in modern work: sharing and editing documents across different platforms and applications. Document formats vary widely in how they store text, images, fonts, and layout — meaning a file that looks perfect in one program may render incorrectly in another. Converting to the right format ensures that your content is either fully editable or perfectly preserved for distribution, depending on what you need.

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet has a known limitation: proprietary binary format that is harder to parse than XLSX. In contrast, TSV File offers a key advantage: less ambiguous than CSV since tabs rarely appear in data values. While Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet is commonly used for legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 systems, TSV File is better suited for bioinformatics data interchange and genomic datasets.

MegaConvert handles the XLS-to-TSV conversion automatically, preserving your document's structure and content as faithfully as the formats allow — no software installation required.

XLS vs TSV: Format Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of the source and target formats.

Property	XLS (Source)	TSV (Target)
Extension	.xls	.tsv
Full Name	Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet	TSV File
Compression	Varies	Varies
File Size	Small	Varies
Best For	Legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 sys…	Bioinformatics data interchange and genomic d…
Browser Support	Varies	Varies

How to Convert XLS to TSV

Follow these simple steps to convert your file in seconds.

Upload your XLS document
Select your .xls file from your computer. Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet documents — including those with embedded images, tables, footnotes, and complex layouts — are supported. Larger documents may take a moment longer to parse before conversion begins.
Click "Convert to TSV"
Press the convert button. We parse the structure of the Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet document — text, headings, lists, tables, images — and rebuild it in TSV File format. Fonts are embedded where the target supports it. The conversion typically completes in a few seconds.
Wait for the document to render
Most document conversions finish in under five seconds. Complex documents with many embedded images, tables, or footnotes may take a little longer to render — the converter takes the time it needs to preserve formatting accurately.
Download your .tsv file
When the conversion finishes, click the download link to save the new TSV File file to your computer. The file is yours — no watermarks, no expiration on the file itself, and no MegaConvert account is required to download it.

Tips for Converting XLS to TSV

Practical advice to get the best results from this conversion.

Why this conversion is worth doing

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet has a known limitation: proprietary binary format that is harder to parse than XLSX. TSV File addresses this with a key advantage: less ambiguous than CSV since tabs rarely appear in data values. Converting from XLS to TSV is most worthwhile when this specific trade-off matters for the way you intend to use the file.

Match the format to the actual workflow

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet is most commonly used for legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 systems, while TSV File is the standard for bioinformatics data interchange and genomic datasets. If your workflow is closer to the second pattern, converting makes sense. If you are still working in a context where XLS is the norm, converting may create unnecessary compatibility friction with collaborators or tools that expect the source format.

Watch for this limitation in the TSV output

TSV File has its own limitation worth understanding before you commit: less universally recognized than CSV by business applications. After the conversion completes, open the TSV file and verify that this limitation does not affect your specific use case — for some workflows it is irrelevant; for others it can be a deal-breaker.

Understand the editing vs. viewing trade-off

Some document formats are designed for editing (DOCX, ODT), while others are intended for final distribution (PDF). Converting to PDF locks in your formatting and makes it difficult to edit the content later. If you plan to revise the document further, keep an editable source copy before converting.

Understanding XLS and TSV Formats

Learn about the source and target file formats to understand what happens during conversion.

Source Format

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet

application/vnd.ms-excel

XLS is the legacy binary spreadsheet format used by Microsoft Excel from version 97 through 2003. It stores worksheets with data, formulas, charts, and formatting in a proprietary binary structure. While superseded by XLSX, XLS files remain prevalent in legacy business systems and archives.

Advantages

Compatible with all versions of Microsoft Excel
Smaller file sizes for simple spreadsheets in some cases
Extensive legacy data in business and government systems

Limitations

Proprietary binary format that is harder to parse than XLSX
Row limit of 65,536 and column limit of 256
Vulnerable to macro-based malware and security exploits

Common Uses

Legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 systems
Compatibility with older Excel-based business applications
Data exchange with systems that only support XLS format

Target Format

TSV File

text/tab-separated-values

TSV (Tab-Separated Values) is a plain-text tabular data format identical in concept to CSV but using tab characters instead of commas as delimiters. Tabs are less likely to appear naturally in data fields compared to commas, reducing the need for quoting and escaping. TSV is commonly used in bioinformatics, data science, and text processing.

Advantages

Less ambiguous than CSV since tabs rarely appear in data values
Simple parsing with no need for complex quoting rules in most cases
Human-readable and easily processed by command-line tools

Limitations

Less universally recognized than CSV by business applications
Tab characters can be invisible and confusing in text editors
No standard for data types, formatting, or metadata

Common Uses

Bioinformatics data interchange and genomic datasets
Unix command-line data processing and text manipulation
Data exchange between scientific and research applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about converting XLS to TSV.

Related Conversions

Explore other conversions related to XLS and TSV.

Other conversions from XLS

XLS to PDF XLS to DOCX XLS to DOC XLS to ODT XLS to RTF XLS to TXT XLS to HTML XLS to XLSX XLS to ODS XLS to CSV

Other conversions to TSV

PDF to TSV DOCX to TSV DOC to TSV ODT to TSV RTF to TSV TXT to TSV HTML to TSV XLSX to TSV ODS to TSV CSV to TSV

Convert XLS to TSV

Why Convert XLS to TSV?

XLS vs TSV: Format Comparison

How to Convert XLS to TSV

Upload your XLS document

Click "Convert to TSV"

Wait for the document to render

Download your .tsv file

Tips for Converting XLS to TSV

Why this conversion is worth doing

Match the format to the actual workflow

Watch for this limitation in the TSV output

Understand the editing vs. viewing trade-off

Understanding XLS and TSV Formats

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet

Advantages

Limitations

Common Uses

TSV File

Advantages

Limitations

Common Uses

Frequently Asked Questions

What quality should I expect from the TSV output?

Are styles, images, and tables preserved when converting XLS to TSV?

What file size should I expect for the TSV output?

When should I convert XLS to TSV instead of staying with XLS?

What is the maximum XLS file size I can convert?

Is my XLS file safe and private when I upload it?

Related Conversions

Other conversions from XLS

Other conversions to TSV