Convert XLS to CSV

XLS files are Excel files that use the Binary Interchange File Format (BIFF). This was the default format for Excel versions 97-2003.

XLS files can have multiple sheets, and each sheet can contain multiple rows and columns of data. They support various data types, including text, numbers, dates, and formulas.

Key features of XLS files include:

• Works with older versions of Excel and other spreadsheet software
• Can store formatting information, charts, and macros
• Smaller file size compared to newer formats like XLSX
• Limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns per sheet

While XLS files are still widely used, they're gradually being replaced by the more modern XLSX format.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple format for storing tabular data in plain text. Each row is a data record, and columns are separated by commas (or other delimiters).

Technical Details

CSV files represent data in a flat table structure. The first row typically contains column headers, and each subsequent row contains values. Fields containing commas, newlines, or quotes may be enclosed in double quotes.

Advantages

• Simple format that's easy to create and parse
• Universal support across spreadsheet applications
• Efficient storage for tabular data
• Human-readable and editable in text editors

Limitations

• No support for nested data structures
• No standardized way to represent data types
• Special characters may require escaping
• No built-in support for formulas or calculations