Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet (.XLS)
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 While superseded by XLSX, XLS files remain prevalent in legacy business systems and archives.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 of Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet
What the XLS format does well, and why you might choose it.
- 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 of Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet
What the XLSformat doesn't do well, and when to choose another format.
- 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
What XLS files are used for
- Legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 systems
- Compatibility with older Excel-based business applications
- Data exchange with systems that only support XLS format
Convert to XLS
The most common formats people convert to XLS, ready to convert in seconds.
Convert XLS to other formats
Convert Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet files into the format you actually need.
Frequently asked questions about XLS
What is a .XLS file?
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 While superseded by XLSX, XLS files remain prevalent in legacy business systems and archives.
What is the MIME type of XLS?
The official MIME type for XLS files is application/vnd.ms-excel. This is the value web servers and applications use to identify the format when transferring files.
What category does XLS belong to?
XLS is a Document Converter format. Files in this category share common conversion paths and use cases.
How do I open a .XLS file?
XLS files are typically opened by software that natively supports the Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheetformat. If you don't have a compatible application, the most reliable approach is to convert the file to a more universal format using the converters listed above. Most Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet files convert to widely-supported alternatives in seconds.
Have a XLS file you need to convert?
Free, instant, no signup. Files deleted within an hour of upload.
Convert XLS to MD