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XLSX XLSM
File conversion

Convert XLSX to XLSM

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Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 12, 2026
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Is it possible to convert XLSX to XLSM?
Yes - XLSX converts to XLSM.

You can do it right here with our free converter - no sign-up, and your file is deleted right after.

The fastest path is Excel's Save As dialog: File > Save As > Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook. All spreadsheet content carries over unchanged - the only addition is the VBA macro container. Online tools can produce an .xlsm file, but cannot insert working macros into it.

7 programs
Also to XLSM: XLSB · XLTM · XLM

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

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

Why convert XLSX to XLSM?

.XLSX cannot store VBA macros by design - the OOXML spec deliberately separates macro-enabled and macro-free workbook types. If you need button-triggered scripts, custom functions, or event handlers, the workbook must be saved as .XLSM. Excel will prompt you to switch format automatically whenever you try to save a macro into an .xlsx file.

How to convert XLSX to XLSM

Microsoft Excel - Save As BUILT-IN

Open the .xlsx file, press F12 (Windows) or use File > Save As (macOS), then select Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm) from the format list.

LibreOffice Calc - Save As FREE

Open the file in LibreOffice Calc, choose File > Save As, and pick the .xlsm format - note that any VBA macros must be re-authored in Excel to run correctly.

Command line - LibreOffice CLI

Run libreoffice --headless --convert-to xlsm input.xlsx to batch-convert without opening the GUI.

Programs that convert XLSX

Microsoft Excel
PlanMaker
Corel Quattro Pro
Ability Spreadsheet
Microsoft Excel for Mac
OpenOffice.org Calc
LibreOffice Calc

About these formats

.XLSX Microsoft Excel Open XML Workbook

An XLSX file is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet saved in the Open XML format, introduced with Excel 2007 as the replacement for the older binary XLS format. You can open it without buying…

Open .XLSX details →
.XLSM Microsoft Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (Open XML)

An XLSM file is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that contains VBA macros - automation code that runs inside the file. Open it in Microsoft Excel (full macro support), LibreOffice Calc, or WPS…

Open .XLSM details →

Quality & what to watch

  • All spreadsheet content - formulas, charts, pivot tables, named ranges, conditional formatting - carries over unchanged; the conversion only adds the VBA macro container.
  • The .xlsm file is slightly larger than the source .xlsx because the vbaProject.bin part is present even before any macros are written.
  • Because .xlsm files can run executable code, email clients and antivirus tools flag them more aggressively than .xlsx; Excel keeps macros disabled until you explicitly click "Enable Content".

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to add macros before converting?
No - you can convert a data-only .xlsx to .xlsm first and add or record macros later.
Can LibreOffice Calc open the converted `.xlsm`?
It can read the spreadsheet data, but runs macros through its own Basic engine rather than VBA, so Excel-specific macros may fail or behave differently.
Will the `.xlsm` file work on macOS Excel?
Yes, Excel for macOS supports VBA and reads .xlsm files, but macros that call Windows-specific APIs (shell calls, Win32 functions) will break regardless of format.
Can I just rename `.xlsx` to `.xlsm`?
Excel detects the format mismatch and warns you on save - use a proper Save As or converter instead of renaming.