This article explains how to batch convert multiple Excel spreadsheet files into TXT text format, suitable for data archiving, system import, lightweight storage, and cross-platform viewing. Using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool as an example, combined with file before-and-after effects and software interface screenshots, it illustrates the complete workflow from selecting an Excel tool, entering the Excel to TXT conversion function, adding files to setting the save location and starting the process, helping users reduce the repetitive operation of saving as TXT one by one.
In daily office work, Excel spreadsheets are often used to store sales data, product lists, employee attendance, order records, project progress, customer information, and more. However, when this data needs to be imported into other systems, handed over to developers for processing, used for log analysis, or archived long-term, the TXT text format is often lighter and more universal. If there is only one Excel file, manually opening it and saving it as a text file is acceptable; but if you need to process dozens or hundreds of xlsx or xls spreadsheets at once, opening, saving as, and closing each one is not only time-consuming but also prone to missing processing steps or saving files in the wrong location.
The problem this article aims to solve is: How to batch convert many Excel spreadsheet files into the txt text format. The following will use HeSoft Doc Batch Tool as an example, following the actual interface shown in the screenshots, to explain how to complete batch conversion using office software, avoiding repetitive work and improving file processing efficiency.
Applicable Scenarios: When do you need to batch convert Excel to TXT
Batch converting Excel to TXT is not simply changing the file extension, but rather exporting the spreadsheet content into a more universal text file. Common scenarios include the following categories.
First, business data needs to be imported into a system. Some ERP, CRM, financial systems, data analysis scripts, or internal management platforms support TXT text import and require users to submit text files instead of Excel workbooks. In this case, if the original data is scattered across multiple xlsx files, they need to be uniformly converted to txt.
Second, files require long-term archiving or cross-platform viewing. TXT files are usually smaller in size and do not depend on the Excel environment; Windows, macOS, Linux, and many mobile devices can open them directly. For materials where only the original table content needs to be viewed, without formulas and complex styles, converting to text format is more convenient for saving and transmission.
Third, preprocessing before batch data cleaning. Many technical personnel convert Excel to text and then use scripts for splitting, comparison, filtering, or importing into a database. Batch converting multiple Excel files to TXT can make subsequent processes more standardized.
Fourth, reducing manual repetitive operations. Manually opening an Excel file and saving it as txt involves many repetitive steps, and for each file, you need to select the format and confirm the save location. Using the batch processing function of office software can centralize this series of actions, which is especially suitable for administrative, HR, finance, operations, and data organizing personnel.
Effect Preview: Before processing, there are multiple Excel spreadsheet files
From the pre-processing screenshot, you can see multiple Excel spreadsheet files on the desktop or in a folder, with filenames including Sales Data.xlsx, Product List.xlsx, Employee Attendance.xlsx, Financial Report.xlsx, Project Progress.xlsx, Order History.xlsx, Training Plan.xlsx, Customer Info.xlsx, etc. These file extensions are all xlsx, which is a common Excel workbook format.
If using traditional methods, you would need to double-click to open these files one by one, and then use Excel's Save As function to select the text format. The greater the number of files, the higher the operation cost. For users who need to process reports regularly, this kind of repetitive operation significantly impacts efficiency.
Effect Preview: After processing, corresponding TXT text files are generated
The post-processing screenshot shows that the original Excel files have been converted into corresponding TXT text files, such as Customer Info.txt, Employee Attendance.txt, Financial Report.txt, Order History.txt, Product List.txt, Project Progress.txt, Sales Data.txt, Training Plan.txt, etc. As you can see, the main file names remain consistent, with the extension changed from .xlsx to .txt, making it easy for users to quickly verify the conversion results.
This naming method facilitates subsequent management: users can quickly find the corresponding text file based on the original filename, and can also uniformly upload, archive, or hand over the generated TXT files to other systems. For batch conversion tasks, clarity and verifiability of the results are very important.
Operation Step 1: Open the Excel Tools category and find the Excel to Txt function
After launching HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can see multiple categories in the left toolbar, such as Word Tools, Excel Tools, PowerPoint Tools, PDF Tools, Text Tools, Image Tools, etc. Since the current processing target is Excel spreadsheets, you need to first click the Excel Tools category on the left.
On the Excel Tools page, the software lists multiple batch processing functions related to Excel in card form, such as Excel to JPG Image, Excel to Docx, Excel to PDF, Excel to Csv, Excel to Xls, Excel to Xlsx, etc. According to the screenshot, there is a clear "Excel to Txt" function card on the page, indicating this function is used for batch converting Excel files to Txt format.
The purpose of this step is to enter the correct batch conversion module. The expected result is: after clicking "Excel to Txt", the software enters the dedicated Excel to TXT processing page, where subsequent steps like adding files, setting the save location, and starting processing will be completed.
Operation Step 2: Add the Excel files to be converted
After entering the "Excel to Txt" page, you can see the "Add Files" and "Import Files from Folder" buttons at the top of the interface. Two common import methods are provided here: if the number of files to process is small, or files are scattered in different locations, you can use "Add Files" to select them one by one; if all Excel files are already centralized in the same folder, using "Import Files from Folder" will be more efficient.
The screenshot shows that 8 xlsx files have been imported. The list displays information such as serial number, name, path, extension, creation time, modification time, and actions. You can see the file paths are under the same test folder, and the extension column shows xlsx, indicating the software has recognized these pending Excel files.
The purpose of this step is to add all Excel spreadsheets that need conversion to the task list. The expected result is: pending files will be displayed row by row in the list, and users can verify the filenames and paths to confirm no files are missed or incorrectly selected. If a file is found unnecessary, it can be removed via the action entry on the right side of the list; if re-selection is needed, the "Clear" button at the top of the interface can be used to clear the current list before re-importing.
Operation Step 3: Confirm the file list and proceed to the next step
In batch processing tasks, confirming the file list is crucial. The bottom of the screenshot shows "Record count: 8", indicating there are 8 pending records in the current task. Before proceeding to the next step, users should check the following: Is the number of files correct? Do the filenames match expectations? Are the paths from the target folder? Are the extensions Excel file formats?
After confirming everything is correct, click the "Next" button at the bottom of the page. According to the interface flow, the current step is "Select records to process", followed by "Set save location" and "Start processing". Therefore, after clicking next, the software will enter the output location setting phase.
The purpose of this step is to prevent incorrect files from entering the conversion process. The expected result is: as long as the Excel files in the list are confirmed to be correct, you can proceed to set where the converted TXT files will be saved.
Operation Step 4: Set the save location for TXT files
For batch conversion, it is recommended to plan the save location in advance. Generally, you can choose a new output folder, such as "Excel to TXT Results" or "TXT Export Files", to avoid mixing the generated TXT files with the original Excel files, facilitating verification and backup.
Although the screenshot only shows the file import page, the top process bar clearly indicates Step 2 is "Set save location". Therefore, upon entering this step, users should set the save directory for the conversion results according to the software interface prompts. After the setting is complete, proceed to the start processing phase.
The purpose of this step is to determine the storage path for the batch-converted txt text files. The expected result is: the software generates TXT files corresponding to the original Excel files in the specified location, facilitating unified viewing, copying, or uploading later.
Operation Step 5: Start batch conversion and check the results
After completing the save location setting, follow the interface flow to enter Step 3 "Start processing". Once processing starts, the software will convert the Excel files in the task list one by one. Since this is batch processing, users do not need to repeatedly open Excel or perform the Save As operation for each file individually.
After processing is complete, open the save location to check if the corresponding txt files have been generated. You can refer to the results in the post-processing screenshot: each Excel file has generated a TXT file with the same name, only with the extension changed to .txt. For example, Sales Data.xlsx corresponds to Sales Data.txt, Product List.xlsx corresponds to Product List.txt.
If the number of files is large, it is recommended to sort by filename and then compare whether the number of original Excel files matches the number of generated TXT files. This allows for a quick confirmation of whether the batch conversion is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions and Notes
1. After Excel to TXT conversion, are styles and formulas preserved?
TXT is a plain text format, mainly saving text content, and is not suitable for preserving cell styles, colors, borders, charts, and the display effects of complex formulas from Excel. If your goal is to preserve layout, PDF or image formats might be more suitable; if your goal is to extract data content, TXT is lighter.
2. Will filenames with English, spaces, or long names affect the conversion?
From filenames like Sales Data.xlsx, Employee Attendance.xlsx in the screenshot, you can see that English filenames with spaces can be displayed normally in the list. In actual use, it is recommended to keep filenames as standardized as possible and avoid excessive special symbols for easier subsequent system import or script processing.
3. When batch importing, should I choose Add Files or Import Files from Folder?
If files are already centralized in a folder, it is recommended to prioritize using "Import Files from Folder", which reduces multi-select operations; if you only want to process a few specific files, using "Add Files" is more flexible.
4. Do I need to back up the original Excel before conversion?
It is recommended to keep the original Excel files. TXT files are typically used for output and exchange and cannot completely replace the original workbook. Keeping the xlsx or xls files allows you to re-export, verify formulas, or view formatting if needed later.
Summary: Reduce repetitive work in Excel to TXT conversion with batch processing tools
The core value of batch converting many Excel spreadsheets to TXT text format lies in saving time, reducing error rates, and making data files easier to import, archive, and use across platforms. With HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , users only need to enter Excel Tools, select "Excel to Txt", batch add files, set the save location, and then start processing to generate multiple corresponding txt text files at once.
If you often need to process Excel files like reports, lists, attendance records, orders, and customer information, it is recommended to first centralize the original files into the same folder, then use the batch conversion function to uniformly export them as TXT. This not only makes the operation clearer but also makes subsequent data organizing work more efficient.