# Convert XLS to TSV

> Convert XLS to TSV 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-tsv

- 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": "tsv"` (paid plans).
- More: [Spreadsheet converter](https://www.converterrr.com/spreadsheet-converter), [XLS converter](https://www.converterrr.com/xls-converter).

## How to convert XLS to TSV

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 TSV.** TSV 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 TSV.** Download each TSV file, or everything at once as a ZIP.

## Good to know

- XLS files are typically used for older Excel workbooks, while TSV is best for data exports and bioinformatics.
- This conversion runs on LibreOffice in an isolated cloud sandbox. Files are encrypted in transit and deleted automatically.

## XLS vs TSV

|  | XLS | TSV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full name | Microsoft Excel 97–2003 | Tab-Separated Values |
| Type | Spreadsheet | Spreadsheet |
| Extensions | .xls | .tsv |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-excel | text/tab-separated-values |
| Best for | older Excel workbooks | data exports and bioinformatics |
| Properties | legacy format, proprietary | open standard |

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

**TSV:** TSV is like CSV but separates values with tabs, which avoids problems with commas inside data.

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

## Related conversions

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

## Convert other formats to TSV

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

## XLS to TSV: frequently asked questions

### How do I convert XLS to TSV?

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

### Is it safe to convert XLS to TSV 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 TSV 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 TSV reduce quality?

No — TSV 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 TSV back to XLS?

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