Convert XLS to ODS — Free Online Converter
Convert Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (.xls) to OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods) online for free. Fast, secure document conversion with no watermarks or registration.
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How to Convert
Upload your .xls 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 .ods file when it's ready.
About XLS to ODS Conversion
XLS is Microsoft's proprietary binary spreadsheet format from the Excel 97-2003 era. ODS (OpenDocument Spreadsheet) is an ISO-standardized open format used natively by LibreOffice Calc, Apache OpenOffice, and Google Sheets. Converting XLS to ODS migrates spreadsheet data from a closed, proprietary binary container to an open, XML-based format that is guaranteed to be readable by any compliant application without licensing restrictions.
The OpenDocument format stores data as a ZIP archive of XML files, similar to XLSX but governed by a different ISO standard (ISO/IEC 26300). Government agencies in the EU, Brazil, South Africa, and other jurisdictions mandate ODS for document exchange to avoid vendor lock-in, making this conversion essential for public sector compliance.
Why Convert XLS to ODS?
Many government agencies and educational institutions require documents in ODS format as part of open standards mandates. The European Commission, for example, requires ODF-compliant formats for document interchange. If you have XLS files that must be submitted to or shared with organizations following open document policies, converting to ODS is mandatory.
LibreOffice and OpenOffice users who receive XLS files often experience formatting discrepancies because these applications handle the BIFF binary format through reverse-engineered parsers. Converting to ODS — the native format for these applications — eliminates parsing inconsistencies and provides the best editing experience for non-Microsoft users.
Common Use Cases
- Submit spreadsheet data to government agencies requiring open document formats
- Share XLS files with LibreOffice and OpenOffice users for optimal compatibility
- Comply with EU open standards mandates for public sector document exchange
- Migrate corporate spreadsheet archives away from proprietary format dependency
- Prepare XLS files for editing in Google Sheets with native ODS import
How It Works
The conversion engine uses LibreOffice in headless mode to read the XLS BIFF8 binary stream and re-serialize the workbook as an ODS package. Cell values, formulas (mapped from Excel function names to ODF equivalents), number formats, cell styles, sheet names, and basic charts are preserved. The ODS output conforms to ODF 1.2, the most widely supported version of the standard.
Quality & Performance
Cell data and standard formulas transfer accurately. Number formatting, cell borders, background colors, and font styles are preserved. Excel-specific features like pivot tables, data validation with complex criteria, and conditional formatting with icon sets may have reduced fidelity in ODS. Charts generally transfer but may require minor visual adjustments due to differences in rendering engines.
Device Compatibility
| Device | XLS | ODS |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No |
Tips for Best Results
- 1Test complex formulas after conversion — some Excel-specific functions may need ODS equivalents
- 2Review chart formatting in LibreOffice after conversion for visual accuracy
- 3Remove VBA macros before converting if they are not needed — they will not transfer to ODS
- 4Verify data validation rules after conversion, especially dropdown lists with named ranges
- 5Use this conversion when submitting documents to organizations with open format mandates
Related Conversions
XLS to ODS conversion moves legacy Microsoft spreadsheets into an open, standardized format that ensures long-term accessibility and compliance with open document policies.