Convert ODS to Excel — Free Online Converter
Convert OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods) to Microsoft Excel (.excel) online for free. Fast, secure document conversion with no watermarks or registration.
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How to Convert
Upload your .ods file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .xlsx file when it's ready.
About ODS to XLSX Conversion
ODS (OpenDocument Spreadsheet) is the ISO-standardized open spreadsheet format (ISO/IEC 26300) used natively by LibreOffice Calc and Apache OpenOffice. The modern Excel format (XLSX) is the default format for Microsoft Excel and the dominant spreadsheet format in corporate environments worldwide. Converting ODS to Excel translates the open-standard spreadsheet into Microsoft's ecosystem, enabling seamless use in Excel, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and corporate workflows that standardize on Microsoft Office.
This conversion is the most common path for LibreOffice users who need to share spreadsheets with the Microsoft-centric majority of the business world. While Excel can open ODS files directly, the import often introduces subtle formatting issues — font substitutions, shifted column widths, and conditional formatting differences. Converting to the native Excel format before sharing eliminates these compatibility artifacts.
Why Convert ODS to XLSX?
Microsoft Excel remains the dominant spreadsheet application in enterprise environments, with over 80% market share. When LibreOffice Calc users share ODS files with Excel users, the import filter introduces inconsistencies that undermine the professional appearance of the spreadsheet. Converting to the native Excel format before distribution ensures every recipient sees the spreadsheet exactly as intended.
Corporate IT environments often enforce file format policies that mandate XLSX for spreadsheet exchange. SharePoint document libraries, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft Teams collaboration workflows are optimized for XLSX. ODS files uploaded to these platforms may lose formatting or fail automated processing workflows that expect Excel's XML structure.
Common Use Cases
- Share LibreOffice Calc spreadsheets with colleagues using Microsoft Excel
- Upload ODS files to SharePoint document libraries that expect Excel format
- Prepare ODS financial reports for corporate environments standardized on Office 365
- Collaborate on spreadsheet projects with teams using Microsoft Excel
- Submit ODS-based data to organizations that only accept Excel format
How It Works
The conversion engine uses LibreOffice in headless mode to parse the ODS package (ODF 1.2 schema) and re-serialize it as an Office Open XML SpreadsheetML package. Cell values, formulas (translated from ODF to OOXML syntax), number formats, cell styles, conditional formatting rules, data validation, charts, and named ranges are mapped to their Excel equivalents. The output targets the Transitional variant of ISO/IEC 29500 for maximum compatibility.
Quality & Performance
Cell data and standard formulas convert accurately. Basic formatting (fonts, borders, fills, number formats) transfers with high fidelity. ODS-specific features like cell annotations with rich formatting, regex-based conditional formatting, and LibreOffice-specific functions may not have exact Excel equivalents and will be approximated. Charts generally convert well, though some styling differences may appear due to different rendering engines.
Device Compatibility
| Device | ODS | XLSX |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No |
Tips for Best Results
- 1Use standard cross-platform fonts in the ODS for best rendering in Excel
- 2Test complex formulas in Excel after conversion, especially those using ODS-specific functions
- 3Remove LibreOffice Basic macros before converting — they will not carry over to Excel
- 4Verify conditional formatting rules in Excel, particularly regex-based conditions
- 5Keep the original ODS as a backup if roundtrip conversion may be needed
Related Conversions
ODS to Excel conversion bridges the LibreOffice and Microsoft ecosystems, producing spreadsheets that work natively in Excel without import compatibility issues.