# Convert XLS to CSV

> Convert XLS to CSV online for free in seconds. Files are processed in a secure, isolated sandbox and deleted automatically. No sign-up, no watermarks.

URL: https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-csv

- Runs in an isolated cloud sandbox with LibreOffice: files are deleted automatically, and the job uses cloud credits.
- Engines: LibreOffice (cloud).
- API: available. `POST /api/v1/jobs` with `"output_format": "csv"` (paid plans).
- More: [Spreadsheet converter](https://www.converterrr.com/spreadsheet-converter), [XLS converter](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-converter).

## How to convert XLS to CSV

1. **Add your XLS files.** Drag and drop XLS files onto the converter, paste them, or click to browse. You can add several at once.
2. **Choose CSV.** CSV is already selected. Open Options if you want to change quality, size or metadata.
3. **Convert.** Click Convert. Files are processed in a secure cloud sandbox and are usually ready in seconds.
4. **Download your CSV.** Download each CSV file, or everything at once as a ZIP.

## Good to know

- XLS files are typically used for older Excel workbooks, while CSV is best for data exchange between spreadsheets, databases and apps.
- This conversion runs on LibreOffice in an isolated cloud sandbox. Files are encrypted in transit and deleted automatically.

## XLS vs CSV

|  | XLS | CSV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full name | Microsoft Excel 97–2003 | Comma-Separated Values |
| Type | Spreadsheet | Spreadsheet |
| Extensions | .xls | .csv |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-excel | text/csv |
| Best for | older Excel workbooks | data exchange between spreadsheets, databases and apps |
| Properties | legacy format, proprietary | open standard |

**XLS:** XLS is the legacy binary Excel format used before 2007.

**CSV:** CSV is plain-text tabular data with values separated by commas — the universal import/export format for spreadsheets and databases.

The other way around: [convert CSV to XLS](https://www.converterrr.com/csv-to-xls).

## Related conversions

- [CSV to XLS](https://www.converterrr.com/csv-to-xls) (cloud)
- [XLS to PDF](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-pdf) (cloud)
- [XLSX to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/xlsx-to-csv) (cloud)
- [XLS to XLSX](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-xlsx) (cloud)
- [ODS to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/ods-to-csv) (cloud)
- [XLS to HTML](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-html) (cloud)
- [Numbers to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/numbers-to-csv) (cloud)
- [XLS to ODS](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-ods) (cloud)
- [TSV to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/tsv-to-csv) (cloud)
- [XLS to TSV](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-tsv) (cloud)

## Convert XLS to other formats

[XLS to PDF](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-pdf), [XLS to XLSX](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-xlsx), [XLS to HTML](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-html), [XLS to ODS](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-ods), [XLS to TSV](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-to-tsv)

## Convert other formats to CSV

[XLSX to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/xlsx-to-csv), [ODS to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/ods-to-csv), [Numbers to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/numbers-to-csv), [TSV to CSV](https://www.converterrr.com/tsv-to-csv)

## XLS to CSV: frequently asked questions

### How do I convert XLS to CSV?

Drop your XLS file onto the converter above, make sure CSV is selected, and click Convert. When it's done, download the CSV file — it usually takes a few seconds.

### Is it safe to convert XLS to CSV here?

Yes. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection to an isolated sandbox that's created for your job only, then both the original and the result are deleted automatically.

### Is the XLS to CSV converter free?

Yes. Cloud conversions like this one use credits, and you get free credits every day (3 without an account, 10 with a free account).

### Will converting XLS to CSV reduce quality?

No — CSV preserves the content of your XLS file as faithfully as the format allows.

### Can I convert multiple XLS files at once?

Yes. Add up to 5 files at a time without an account, 10 with a free account and up to 500 on paid plans, then download them individually or as a single ZIP.

### Can I convert CSV back to XLS?

Yes — use our CSV to XLS converter. Note that converting back and forth between formats can't recover detail lost to lossy compression.