Convert XLS to Excel

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.

Excel is Microsoft's spreadsheet format that allows users to organize, analyze, and visualize data in tables. It's widely used in business, finance, and data analysis.

Technical Details

Excel files (.xlsx) are actually ZIP archives containing XML files. They support multiple worksheets, formulas, charts, and macros. The newer XLSX format is based on Office Open XML standards.

Advantages

• Rich formatting and visualization capabilities
• Built-in functions and formulas for data analysis
• Support for charts, PivotTables, and data visualization
• Widely used in business and finance

Limitations

• Proprietary format requiring specific software
• Performance issues with very large datasets
• Version compatibility challenges
• Not ideal for structured database applications