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XLS XLSM
Free online converter

Convert XLS to XLSM

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XLS to XLSM converterFREE
Drop a .XLS file here
or pick one - we convert it to .XLSM and give you the file to download

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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How to convert XLS to XLSM

  1. Add your .XLS file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
  2. Convert it to .XLSM in a few seconds.
  3. Download your new .XLSM file.

What to expect

  • .xlsm is only needed when the workbook contains VBA macros - if there are none, save as .xlsx for a smaller file that avoids macro security warnings.
  • Saving as plain .xlsx silently drops all VBA code; Excel warns you first, but once dismissed the macros are gone from the new file with no undo.
  • Row and column limits expand after conversion: XLS tops out at 65,536 rows × 256 columns while XLSM allows 1,048,576 rows × 16,384 columns, so hard-coded limits in macro code may need updating.

Frequently asked questions

Can I convert XLS to XLSM without Microsoft Excel?
LibreOffice Calc will produce an .xlsm file, but VBA macro compatibility is partial - use Excel when the macros matter. If you only need the data, converting to .xlsx is a safer alternative.
Will my formulas and formatting survive the conversion?
Yes - the conversion changes only the container format, so formulas, cell styles, charts, and named ranges all carry over unchanged.
My XLS has no macros - should I still use XLSM?
No, use plain .xlsx instead. The .xlsm extension signals macro-enabled content, which email filters and security tools treat with extra caution for no benefit.
Does Excel for the web support saving as XLSM?
No - Excel for the web does not support the .xlsm format; you need the full desktop Excel application.
Learn about the formats: .XLS · .XLSM
Programs that convert XLS: Microsoft Excel · PlanMaker · Corel Quattro Pro · Ability Spreadsheet · Microsoft Excel for Mac · Excel Mobile · Apache OpenOffice Calc (OpenOffice.org Calc) · LibreOffice Calc