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Spreadsheet Conversion

Convert XLSM to ODS — Free Online Converter

Convert Excel Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet (.xlsm) to OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods) online for free. Fast, secure document conversion with no watermark...

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How to Convert

1

Upload your .xlsm file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.

2

Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.

3

Click Convert and download your .ods file when it's ready.

About XLSM to ODS Conversion

XLSM is Microsoft's macro-enabled Excel spreadsheet format, an OOXML ZIP archive containing XML worksheets along with embedded VBA macro code. XLSM files are used in enterprise environments for automated reporting, financial modeling, and data processing workflows where macros perform calculations, data validation, and formatting tasks. ODS (OpenDocument Spreadsheet) is the ISO/IEC 26300 standard spreadsheet format used by LibreOffice Calc, Apache OpenOffice, and Google Sheets.

Converting XLSM to ODS migrates macro-enabled Excel workbooks to the open-standard spreadsheet format, enabling use in LibreOffice and other ODF-compatible applications without requiring a Microsoft Office license.

Why Convert XLSM to ODS?

Organizations migrating from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice need to convert their macro-enabled spreadsheets to ODS. Government agencies, educational institutions, and companies adopting open-source software frequently mandate ODS as the standard document format. Converting XLSM to ODS enables continued use of the spreadsheet data and formulas without Microsoft Office dependency.

ODS is also preferred for document archival and interchange where vendor-neutral formats are required. ISO standardization ensures long-term readability regardless of which spreadsheet application is used in the future.

Common Use Cases

  • Migrate enterprise Excel macro workbooks to LibreOffice Calc during Office-to-LibreOffice transition
  • Convert XLSM financial reports to ODS for government agencies requiring open document formats
  • Archive macro-enabled spreadsheets in vendor-neutral ODS format for long-term preservation
  • Share XLSM workbooks with collaborators who use LibreOffice or Google Sheets
  • Convert XLSM templates to ODS for deployment across open-source office environments

How It Works

LibreOffice opens the XLSM file, parsing OOXML worksheet data, formulas, cell formatting, charts, pivot tables, and conditional formatting. The content is exported as ODS using ODF 1.2 XML schema. Cell values, formulas (converted from Excel to ODF syntax), number formats, cell styles, and sheet structures are preserved. VBA macro code is NOT converted — ODS uses a different macro system (LibreOffice Basic). Charts and pivot tables are recreated in ODF equivalents.

Quality & Performance

Worksheet data, formulas, and formatting convert with high accuracy. Standard Excel functions map cleanly to ODF equivalents. The major limitation is macros: VBA code in XLSM files is stripped during conversion since ODS does not support VBA. Complex conditional formatting and some Excel-specific features (Power Query, data models) may not have ODS equivalents. Test formula results after conversion.

LIBREOFFICE EngineModerateMinimal Quality Loss

Device Compatibility

DeviceXLSMODS
Windows PCPartialPartial
macOSPartialPartial
iPhone/iPadPartialPartial
AndroidPartialPartial
LinuxPartialPartial
Web BrowserNoNo

Tips for Best Results

  • 1Document all VBA macros before conversion — they'll need to be rewritten in LibreOffice Basic
  • 2Test formula results after conversion, especially for Excel-specific functions
  • 3Conditional formatting may render differently — verify critical formatting rules
  • 4Save a backup of the original XLSM before converting in case macros need reference
  • 5For large workbooks with complex macros, consider a phased migration approach

XLSM-to-ODS conversion enables migration of Excel macro workbooks to the open ODF standard, preserving data and formulas while requiring macro reimplementation in LibreOffice Basic.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. VBA macros are stripped during conversion. You'll need to rewrite automation in LibreOffice Basic or Python.
Most standard Excel functions convert to ODF equivalents. Complex or Excel-specific functions should be verified.
Charts are recreated in ODF format. Most chart types convert accurately, though some formatting details may shift.
You can save ODS as XLSX in LibreOffice, but VBA macros cannot be recovered once stripped.
Pivot tables are converted to ODF data pilot tables. Refresh the pivot after conversion to verify.

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