Convert XLSX to XLS With/Without MS Excel

Batch Convert Open XML Excel Workbook Files to XLS, HTML, XML, Fixed Width Text etc.


Fast Software

'Convert XLS' is 10-20 times faster than using Excel. It also allows for the saving and restoring of complex 'conversion jobs'. Specify a 'conversion job' within the command line or Windows scheduler and rest easy. 

'CONVERT XLSX to XLS' — BATCH — 80x25
C:\>Working sample.bat files
   are installed for quick
   testing and customization.

C:\>XLSX-to-XLS-Converter.bat

C:\>See detailed examples of
converting xlsx to xlsx by command line
at bottom of this page

Powerful Command Line

Power users: Command line capability is fundamental to ALL of our software tools. Demo batch files are installed ready for testing and modification. We are always here to help you implement our software.

Easy to use
File Conversion Features

Move or delete files while converting Excel files...no problem! Skip files already done, check! Easy unattended conversion of whole folders. 

Convert XLSX To XLS files software tools

'Convert XLS' Features


If you need to manipulate Excel, CSV, TXT file data, 'Convert XLS' comes with numerous features and specialized processes including:

General

Conversion Tool Extras
  • Convert up to 20 times faster when not using Excel.
  • Automate 'Convert XLS' using the command line or the COM/ActiveX interfaces.
  • Move or delete files after processing. Skip files already processed.
  • Save and restore complex conversion configurations.
  • Batch can be stopped midway and resumed at a later time.
  • Special processing of files including appending/concatenation, removing extra lines, search and replace strings and much more.
  • Can be adapted for all languages.
  • Launch (Run) a third party program

Excel Conversion

Excel Conversion Features
  • Specify:
    • Sheets to convert
    • Create a single or multiple files
    • Skip empty worksheets
    • Range to convert (e.g. "B4:J10")
    • Use double quotes
  • Convert Excel files to and from Text/CSV/HTML/XML without needing MS Excel to be installed.
  • XLSX Conversion supported. Convert XLSX to XLS, CSV, TXT, HTML, XML etc.
  • In most cases it is possible to retain leading zeroes (e.g. 0000123213012)

More info on specific Excel file conversions

Special Promotion: Buy 'Convert XLS' and get 'Text to Excel Wizard', 'Convert Doc', 'Convert Image' and 'Convert PowerPoint' free!

Need a Tool for Converting XLSX to XLS?

About 'Convert XLS'

Do you need software to convert XLSX To XLS (or convert XLSX to XLS)? If so, we got just the tool you need. Convert XLS' can convert XLS to Open XML Excel Workbook (XLSX) 10 to 20 times faster than using MS Excel. In fact you can do these conversions with or without MS Excel giving you flexibility. Using MS Excel is not as fast, but it gives you many more file types that you can convert to (such as PRN, DBF, WKS etc).

Again, our tool does not require MS Excel, although you can optionally specify to use it. This can assist in security for those planning on using a server.

All our conversion tools allow you to automate the process by using:

You can even move or delete the input files after conversion. Skipping files already processed is another popular feature that is included.

'Convert XLS's complete documentation is available on-line for review. Continue reading below for specific instructions on how to use the user interface and command line for converting Excel to csv files. Of course please do download it and try it for free.

Converting XLSX to XLS

  • Run 'Convert XLS' then select the Convert Files Action To Do.
  • Select the input file path. For a whole folder be certain to use the *.ext format. For example if you want to convert the folder of xlsx files located in "C:\input folder\" then use "C:\input folder\*.xlsx".

    Choose either ‘Convert XLS’ or ‘MS Excel’ method of conversion. The ‘Convert XLS’ conversion method can be 10-20 times faster than the ‘MS Excel’ conversion method. The ‘MS Excel’ conversion method however, can convert any file MS Excel can open.

    If you are using the ‘Convert XLS’ conversion method, specify the Input File Format. In this case it is “MS Open XML Excel Workbook (*.XLSX)”. Click on the Options button and choose the sheets, ranges and whether to include values or 'formulas and values' to convert.
  • Specify the output file path. If you are doing a whole folder, then specify the whole folder using the "*.ext" format (for example "c:\Output\*.XLS"). Finally, specify the 'Convert To File Format' output file type (*.xls).
  • Click the CONVERT button (or F5) on the tool bar to start converting.

Converting XLS to XLSX

  • Run 'Convert XLS' then select the Convert Files Action To Do.
  • Select the input file path. For a whole folder be certain to use the *.ext format. For example if you want to convert the folder of xls files located in "C:\input folder\" then use "C:\input folder\*.xls".

    Select the 'Convert XLS' conversion method. You can also select the MS Excel if you have it installed.

    If you are using the 'Convert XLS' method, specify the Input File Format. In this case it is "Microsoft Excel Workbook (*.XLS)". The application actually chooses the file format when you select the input files, so this step can be skipped almost always.

    Click on the Options button and choose the sheets, ranges and whether to include values or 'formulas and values' to convert.
  • Specify the output file path. If you are doing a whole folder, then specify the whole folder using the "*.ext" format (for example "c:\Output\*.XLSX"). Finally, specify the 'Convert To File Format' output file type (*.xlsx).
  • Click the CONVERT button (or F5) on the tool bar to start converting.
Repeating the use of a 'Conversion Job' with 'Convert XLS'

If you click the ADD button, a 'Conversion Item' is added to the 'task list' at the bottom of the user interface.  You can add as many 'conversion tasks' as you want, and save the 'Conversion Job' file for use at a later time.  See the File menu for saving and restoring 'Conversion Jobs'.
'Convert XLS' can be especially helpful if you require complicated file conversion jobs done regularly. By saving and recalling a conversion job file, 'Convert XLS' quickly remembers all the file conversion tasks and their details.

Note: The same 'conversion job' file discussed above can be specified in the command line by using the /J switch. For example:
ConvertXLS.exe /J"C:\Conversion Jobs\Convert-XLSX-to-XLS-Command-Line.SII"

It is the best XLSX To XLS conversion tool you've never used... till this moment! Click here to download a free trial.


 Still not sure how to use it? See an online video. How to convert XLSX To XLS files - Video



convert XLSX To XLS command line

NOTE: After installation, you can find simple batch files (XLSXtoXLS.bat) for quick and easy usage by going to Start\All Programs\Convert XLS\Example Batch Files. These will work without modification provided the installation was in the default folder. Email us at  if you have any questions or need additional examples. We will get you up and running fast!

Although we'll discuss the use of the command line here, it's only to give you a taste. For the full, accurate, and up to date information see the 'Convert XLS' command line documentation. If you have trouble running these examples see Helpful Hints For Creating a Command Line.


There are two approaches to using the command line:

  • Specify one or more conversion tasks in a conversion job
  • Specify a single conversion task in detail

A 'Conversion Job' is easily built using the 'Convert XLS' graphical user interface. All the details of the job are saved in a single conversion job file (e.g. 'c:\myjobs\Do-Multi-Step-Conversion.SII). Specifying a conversion job file with the command line is very easy by using the /J switch. You can have hundreds or thousands of tasks specified in the conversion job file, all of which will get executed in one fell swoop. For example:

ConvertXLS.EXE /J"D:\Job Files\Convert XLSX to XLS.SII"


Specifying a single conversion task requires a bit more effort, but does not require the prior creation of a 'Conversion Job' file.

The first example shows how to convert a XLSX to a XLS file.

Each switch shown in blue is described in detail below the examples. It is highly recommended you review each switches description before implementing the example, thereby giving you the full power of 'Convert XLS'.

Example 1 (XLSX File to XLS)

To convert a single XLS file, C:\in\input.XLSX to a XLS file located in the C:\Out\ folder, the following syntax would be used:


ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\input.XLSX" /T"C:\Out\output.XLS" /F51 /C-4143 /M1


To do the same using the 'Convert XLS' conversion method (extremely fast and MS Excel not required) change the /M1 switch to /M2 as shown below:


ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\input.XLSX" /T"C:\Out\output.XLS" /F51 /C-4143 /M2


Example 2 (Convert a whole folder)

To convert a whole folder (and sub-folders) of XLSX files located in the C:\in\ folder to XLS files to be placed in the c:\Out\ folder, the following syntax would be used:


ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\*.XLSX" /T"C:\Out\*.XLS" /F51 /C-4143 /M2 /R


The /G switch can be used to tell 'Convert XLS' to place each output file in the same folder as each input file. Therefore the command line above is equivalent to the command line below:

ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\*.XLSX" /G /F51 /C-4143 /M2 /R


You may want to convert a whole folder and its sub-folders and place the output into a separate folder/drive. In which case use this syntax:

ConvertXLS.EXE /S"C:\in\*.XLSX" /T "C:\Out\*.XLS" /G /F51 /C-4143 /M2 /R


  • The /S and /T switches above specify Source (input) and Target (output) path respectively and are both required when converting a single file. It is always a good idea to use double quotes around the path especially if there are space characters within the path.
  • The /C-4143 switch specifies that the target (output) file to be a XLS file whereas the /F51 switch specifies the input file is a XLSX file. See Excel Conversion File Type Constants for all possible values for /C and /F.
  • The /M2 switch tells it to use the 'Convert XLS' conversion method which is exceptionally fast. Note the /M1 switch could have been used to specify the 'MS Excel' conversion method which is a bit slower and requires MS Excel.
  • The /R switch tells it to search the input folder and its sub-folders for files to convert.
  • /G switch can be used to tell 'Convert XLS' to place each output file in the same folder as each input file.
  • /N"{Sheet^Range^DelimChar^FixedWidth^X}" Is used when converting to/from an Excel, CSV or fixed width text file. It specifies which Sheets to convert, what Range to convert and what delimitation/separation character to use, and the method to import export to a fixed width text file. The syntax for this parameter is critical, the items are separated by a caret character "^". If you do not include Sheet, Range or DelimChar by leaving them blank they will default to all sheets, all used ranges and the comma delimitation character. Be certain to include the double quotation character around this parameter like: /N"Apples,Oranges^A2:B20^9"

Sheet: Only used when an Excel file is the input file. Use "*" or "" for all sheets. You can use names of sheets, or the numeric index. If using numeric indices, you can specify ranges of sheets (i.e. "1,4,10-20" and "4-10,9" etc.). Range and DelimChar are optional.

Range: You could optionally specify a range, say if you only wanted to convert a portion of the input file. Use the same syntax as an Excel range (e.g. A1:B10).

DelimChar: is for specifying the ASCII value of the delimitation character used in a CSV file. 44 for comma, 124 for Bar "|", 9 for the tab etc.

FixedWidth: Here you can specify how to import/export a fixed width text file. Not used in this example.

  • /H If converting from XLS to something else and using the 'Convert XLS' conversion method (/M2) you can optionally specify to include values along with formula, much like "MS Excel" conversion method does.
  • /U If converting an XLS file with multiple sheets specified, the /U switch will generate multiple files instead of a single file.
  • The /V (for Verbose) switch is used to give instant feedback by having the program report the status of the conversion with a message box. You can remove this once you have perfected your command line specification. You can also (or instead of /V) create a Log file that will contain the results of the conversion by using the /L switch.

Note: It is highly encouraged that you use the Verbose (/V) switch initially to see what the status of your conversion is and to help you perfect your command line. When in verbose mode the program will tell you what went wrong or right with your command line using message boxes.