Spreadsheet Converter – Knowledge Base
Welcome to the Spreadsheet Converter knowledge base!
In this all‑encompassing resource you’ll find everything you need to know about transforming spreadsheet files quickly, accurately and with confidence. Whether you’re an analyst, a developer, or an everyday user looking to streamline data handling, our platform enables you to convert between a wide range of Microsoft Excel formats without sacrificing formulas, formatting, macros or embedded objects.
The knowledge base is organised into clear sections that guide you step‑by‑step through every stage of the conversion process – from selecting the appropriate source file to configuring advanced options for handling complex workbooks.
A flexible, symmetric workflow
Our conversion engine supports any of the supported formats as both input and output.
You can start with an .xlsx file and produce an .xlsb, .xltm, .xlam, Excel 97‑2003, Excel 95, SpreadsheetML or .xlt file, and you can also work the other way round – converting legacy documents into modern, feature‑rich formats.
Supported formats include:
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| Xlsx | The standard Office Open XML workbook format for Excel 2007 and later. |
| Xlsb | The binary workbook format offering faster opening and saving for large files. |
| Xlsm | Workbooks that contain macros, preserving VBA code during conversion. |
| Xltm | Macro‑enabled template files, useful for reusable spreadsheet templates. |
| Xlam | Add‑in files that extend Excel’s functionality with custom functions. |
| Excel 97‑2003 | The classic binary .xls format used in Excel 97 through 2003. |
| Excel 95 | The early Excel format, still supported for legacy data migration. |
| SpreadsheetML | The XML representation of spreadsheets, ideal for web‑based processing. |
| Xlt | Standard Excel template files for creating new workbooks with predefined layouts. |
Because the conversion respects the full feature set of each format, you can trust that formulas, pivot tables, charts, conditional formatting, data validation and even custom VBA macros will remain intact after the transformation.
Detailed articles walk you through common scenarios, such as batch‑processing a folder of .xls files into .xlsx to take advantage of newer Excel capabilities, or exporting a modern .xlsm workbook to an older Excel 97‑2003 file for compatibility with legacy systems.
Troubleshooting & best‑practice guidance
If you encounter a specific challenge – for example, a macro that behaves differently after conversion, or a need to preserve external data connections – our knowledge base provides troubleshooting guides, best‑practice recommendations and examples of how to use advanced options (e.g., preserving macro signatures, handling hidden sheets, or customising XML namespaces for SpreadsheetML).
Each guide includes screenshots, code snippets and downloadable sample files so you can experiment safely before applying changes to production data.
Security & privacy
We understand that security and privacy are paramount when handling sensitive spreadsheets. All conversion operations are performed locally in your browser or on your trusted server environment, ensuring that your data never leaves your control unless you explicitly choose to share it.
The knowledge base also outlines how to configure secure endpoints, manage authentication tokens and audit conversion logs for compliance purposes.
Get started
Explore the sections below to start mastering spreadsheet conversions, and feel free to provide feedback or request new features through our community forum. With the Spreadsheet Converter knowledge base at your fingertips, turning any supported Excel format into another becomes a seamless, reliable and fully documented experience!