Convert Excel XLSX to XLS

If you have trouble running these examples see Using the Command Line and Helpful Hints For Creating a Command Line.

NOTE: An example batch file, XLSXtoXLS.bat, has been installed for quick and easy testing. Find it at Start\All Programs\Convert XLS\Example Batch Files. This will work without modification provided you installed in the default folder. Email us at support@softinterface.com if you have any questions or need additional examples. We will get you up and running fast!

NOTE: If MS Excel says there is a problem with the output file click here to see how to add the output folder as a trusted folder.

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'.

You can easily change the examples below to handle XLSM files by changing all instances of "XLSX" to "XLSM" and changing all instances of "/F51" or "/F52". For XLSB files use the /M2 switch instead of /M1.

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" /C-4143 /F51 /M1 /V

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" /C-4143 /F51 /M2 /V

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" /C-4143 /F51 /M2 /R /V

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 /C-4143 /F51 /M2 /R /V

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 /C-4143 /F51 /M2 /R /V

• 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 carrot 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.