Convert XLSM to XLSX — Free Online Converter
Convert Excel Macro-Enabled Spreadsheet (.xlsm) to Excel Open XML Spreadsheet (.xlsx) online for free. Fast, secure document conversion with no watermarks or registration.
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How to Convert
Upload your .xlsm 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 XLSM to XLSX Conversion
XLSM and XLSX are both modern OOXML Excel formats — the only difference is that XLSM contains VBA macro code while XLSX explicitly prohibits macros. Both use the same ZIP-compressed XML structure for worksheets, formulas, formatting, charts, and pivot tables. The .xlsm extension signals to Excel that the file may contain executable macro code.
Converting XLSM to XLSX strips all VBA macro code from the workbook while preserving all worksheet data, formulas, formatting, and features — producing a macro-free spreadsheet that is safer to distribute and won't trigger macro security warnings.
Why Convert XLSM to XLSX?
Many organizations block XLSM files in email attachments and file sharing as a security measure, since VBA macros can contain malicious code. Converting to XLSX removes the macro payload, allowing the workbook to pass through email filters and security scanners without triggering alerts.
XLSX is also preferred when sharing spreadsheet data with external parties who don't need the automation. Stripping macros reduces file size, eliminates security concerns, and produces a cleaner deliverable focused purely on the data and analysis.
Common Use Cases
- Strip macros from XLSM reports before sending to external clients via email
- Convert XLSM templates to XLSX for distribution to users who don't need macro functionality
- Remove VBA code from workbooks to pass enterprise email security filters
- Produce macro-free XLSX versions of financial models for auditor review
- Clean XLSM workbooks before uploading to cloud platforms that block macro-enabled files
How It Works
LibreOffice opens the XLSM file and saves as XLSX, preserving all OOXML worksheet content while omitting the VBA project storage. Cell values, formulas, formatting, conditional formatting, charts, pivot tables, data validation, named ranges, and sheet structure are all preserved identically — the underlying XML structure is virtually the same. Only the vbaProject.bin binary storage (containing VBA modules, forms, and class modules) is removed.
Quality & Performance
Conversion is essentially lossless for worksheet content. Every cell value, formula, format, chart, and feature is preserved identically since both formats use the same OOXML schema. The only change is the removal of VBA macro code. Computed cell values remain as they were when macros last ran — but the macros themselves are gone, so automated recalculation won't happen.
Device Compatibility
| Device | XLSM | 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
- 1Run all macros before converting to ensure computed values are current — they won't auto-update in XLSX
- 2Keep the original XLSM file if you may need the macro functionality later
- 3XLSX passes through most email security filters that block XLSM attachments
- 4File size will decrease slightly since VBA project storage is removed
- 5Verify that no cells depend on macro-driven calculations after conversion
Related Conversions
XLSM-to-XLSX conversion strips VBA macros while preserving all spreadsheet data identically — the cleanest way to produce macro-free workbooks for secure distribution.