Convert XLS to CSV Online
Convert Excel to CSV online. The tool is free, the conversion runs on the server in an isolated request. Batch conversion is supported, server uploads are capped at 100 MB per file, and no account is required. Keep the original file while you review the converted copy.
Convert .XLS to .CSV
Select a file to begin. Processing details and limits are listed below.
How to convert XLS to CSV
- 1
Upload Excel files
Add one or more Excel files to the queue. The uploader keeps batch items separate.
- 2
Choose CSV settings
Set the available quality or format options, or keep the defaults for a first pass.
- 3
Run and save the result
Run the queue and download the CSV files individually or together as a ZIP.
Legacy Excel Spreadsheet vs Comma-separated values
| Spec | Legacy Excel Spreadsheet | Comma-separated values |
|---|---|---|
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-excel | text/csv |
| Format type | data | data |
| Standard | Pending review | RFC 4180 |
| First release | Pending review | 2005 (RFC 4180); earlier usage predates the RFC |
| Browser support | Pending review | Text display and browser spreadsheet apps |
| Contents | Binary Excel 97-2003 format. | Plain-text rows and columns separated by a delimiter, usually commas, with optional quoting and a header row. |
About Legacy Excel Spreadsheet
Binary Excel 97-2003 format.
About Comma-separated values
Simple, human-readable, small, and supported by virtually every spreadsheet and database tool. No standard type system, delimiter and quoting conventions vary, and nested or hierarchical data does not fit naturally.
Format referenceWhy convert XLS to CSV?
- The result can be reviewed without changing the file that other people still use.
- CSV is more appropriate for the target application, device, or delivery channel than Excel.
- Compatibility is the main reason to convert when another person or service cannot open the source.
- The new format may support a feature the source container does not.
Will quality change?
The data is mapped into CSV syntax. Values may change representation because the source and destination have different type systems. Check a sample before processing a large batch.
Processing and limits
- Processing
- Server-side
- Engine
- LibreOffice and document tooling
- Maximum size
- 100 MB per file on the server.
- Batch support
- Yes, multiple files can be queued; completed results can be downloaded as a ZIP.
- Quality controls
- No quality slider. The output follows the fixed conversion path.
The file is processed on the server because the conversion requires a server-side engine or a utility operation.
- No standard type system, delimiter and quoting conventions vary, and nested or hierarchical data does not fit naturally.
- Check metadata, dimensions, and compatibility after the conversion.
- Very large files can hit the 100 MB server limit before conversion starts.
Platform compatibility
CSV works in text display and browser spreadsheet apps. Open the result in the app where it will be used, and keep the source Excel for comparison.
When not to convert
- For a one-off preview, a local viewer may be faster than creating a new delivery file.
- If CSV support is uncertain on the destination device, test a sample before processing a large batch.
- Do not use a converted file as the legal or signed original when signatures or metadata must be preserved.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert Excel to CSV online?
- Upload a Excel file, choose the available CSV options, run the conversion, and download the result. The tool is free, supports batches, and accepts server uploads up to 100 MB.
- Is Convert XLS to CSV free?
- It is free, requires no account, and adds no watermark. Server uploads are limited to 100 MB per file, and browser-first paths are limited by device memory.
- Does Excel to CSV conversion lose quality?
- The data is mapped into CSV syntax. Values may change representation because the source and destination have different type systems. Check a sample before processing a large batch.
- Where is the file processed?
- Yes. This conversion uses a server-side engine, so the file is uploaded over HTTPS, processed in an isolated request, and removed after the result is produced.
- How do I process a batch?
- Queue multiple files, run them together, and download the finished results as a ZIP. Each server file is limited to 100 MB, and large batches may take longer.
- What can go wrong?
- Open the downloaded CSV file in the application or database you plan to use, check the structure against the source, and keep the original until the output is approved.