When dealing with a large number of Excel files that need to be converted to Xltm format, manually saving them is inefficient and prone to errors. This article explains how to use HeSoft Doc Batch Tool to batch convert multiple Excel spreadsheets through pre-processing, post-processing, and software operation screenshots, including selecting Excel to Xltm conversion, adding files, importing from folders, verifying records, setting the save location, and starting the process. It is suitable for batch organizing office templates.
Many users have encountered this situation: a folder contains a batch of Excel spreadsheets, originally all in xlsx format, but they need to be uniformly converted to xltm for use as macro-enabled templates. Converting a single file is not complicated; you can simply open it in Excel and use Save As. However, with dozens of template files—such as annual reports, employee attendance, inventory management, expense reports, monthly budgets, project plans, and sales trackers—converting them one by one becomes a repetitive, time-consuming, and error-prone task.
The value of office software lies not just in opening and editing files, but more importantly, in helping users improve processing efficiency. HeSoft Doc Batch Tool is positioned precisely for batch document processing, making it suitable for handling such format unification tasks. Following the order of the screenshots, the process of batch converting multiple Excel spreadsheet files to the Xltm format will be explained below.
Applicable Scenario: A Large Number of Excel Files Need to Be Uniformly Output as Xltm
Xltm is the Excel Macro-Enabled Template format, suitable for files that need templated reuse and macro capabilities. For standard forms and report templates within an enterprise, a uniform format facilitates subsequent management. For example, finance staff can organize budget and expense claim templates into xltm, administrative staff can uniformly convert attendance templates, and project teams can convert project plan templates into the same format.
When the number of files is large, batch conversion is more suitable than manual Save As. It can reduce the following problems:
- Time wasted from repeatedly opening and closing Excel files;
- Selecting the wrong format when manually choosing the save type;
- Inconsistent save locations for converted files;
- Missed files when the quantity is large;
- Difficulty in quickly confirming which files have been converted.
Therefore, if your goal is to convert multiple Excel files to Xltm, batch convert xlsx to macro-enabled templates, or organize Excel template files in bulk, you can refer to the method in this article.
Result Preview: Before Processing, They Are xlsx Files
The pre-processing screenshot shows a set of ordinary Excel files, all with the .xlsx extension. The filenames cover various office template types, such as Annual_Report_Template.xlsx, Employee_Attendance_Template.xlsx, Inventory_Management_Template.xlsx, Monthly_Budget_Template.xlsx, Project_Plan_Template.xlsx, Marketing_Strategy_Template.xlsx, Expense_Report_Template.xlsx, and Sales_Tracker_Template.xlsx.
These files already appear to serve a template purpose based on their names, but the format is still xlsx. If they need to be uniformly distributed or archived as macro-enabled templates, they must be converted to xltm. The screenshot uses a red box and arrow to highlight the xlsx extension, emphasizing the format status before conversion.
Result Preview: After Processing, They Become xltm Files
In the post-processing screenshot, the same batch of files is now displayed with the .xltm extension. The main parts of the filenames remain largely unchanged, retaining the original names like Annual_Report_Template, Employee_Attendance_Template, Inventory_Management_Template, Monthly_Budget_Template. This indicates that the batch conversion result aligns with standard office file management habits: completing the format conversion while preserving the original naming scheme for identification.
For practical work, the resulting xltm files can be placed into a centralized template library or sent to team members for use. Compared to scattered files in different formats, unified templates are easier to maintain.
Step One: Open the Excel Tool Category
On the main interface of HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can see different categories of tools on the left side. The object of this processing is Excel spreadsheets, so you should click on Excel Tools. In the screenshot, the Excel Tools category on the left is highlighted, indicating that the user has entered the functional area related to Excel files.
Once entered, the function area on the right displays various Excel batch conversion capabilities, including converting to Image, PDF, Docx, Csv, Xls, Xlsx, Xlsm, Xltx, Xltm, Txt, HTML Webpage, Numbers Spreadsheet, Json, XML, etc. Different functions correspond to different output formats, so make your selection based on the target format.
Operation Goal: Enter the correct file type tool category to avoid searching for Excel format conversion functions within Word, PDF, or Image tools.
Expected Result: See the list of Excel-related batch processing functions.
Step Two: Select the Excel to Xltm Function
In the Excel tools list, find Excel to Xltm. In the screenshot, this function card is highlighted, indicating it is used for batch converting Excel files to the Xltm format. Note that Xltm has a name similar to Xlsm, Xltx, and Xlsx, but their purposes are different. If the goal is a macro-enabled template format, you should choose Xltm, not Xlsm or Xltx.
Operation Goal: Specify the output format as Xltm, ensuring the software enters the correct batch conversion task.
Expected Result: After clicking, you enter the Excel to Xltm task page.
Step Three: Add Files or Import Files from a Folder
After entering the task page, the top of the interface provides two buttons: Add Files and Import Files from Folder. For a small number of files, Add Files is more direct; for a large number of files, especially when they are all already placed in a single directory, Import Files from Folder is more efficient.
In the screenshot, the user has already imported 8 Excel files into the list. Each row in the list represents a file to be processed, showing its name, path, extension, creation time, modification time, and actions. The summary area at the bottom shows a record count of 8, allowing for quick confirmation of the imported quantity.
Operation Goal: Add all the Excel spreadsheets that need to be converted to xltm into the batch processing queue.
Expected Result: The files to be processed are fully displayed in the list, and the software is ready to proceed to the next step.
Step Four: Review Pending Records to Avoid Batch Processing Errors
Reviewing before batch processing is crucial. Because the batch tool performs operations uniformly according to the list, if files that don't need conversion are imported initially, they might also be processed later. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on checking three pieces of information before proceeding.
First, check the name. Confirm that files like Annual_Report_Template.xlsx, Employee_Attendance_Template.xlsx, Expense_Report_Template.xlsx are all the templates that need conversion this time. Second, check the path. The path in the screenshot points to C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\Test folder 4, indicating these files come from the same folder. Third, check the extension. The extension column in the screenshot shows xlsx, which matches this example of converting xlsx to xltm.
If a specific row's file does not need processing, you can delete that record using the action column on the right. If the overall import result is incorrect, you can use the Clear button to re-add files. This controls risks before starting the conversion.
Operation Goal: Confirm the file scope is accurate to prevent unrelated files from being converted.
Expected Result: Only the Excel files that need to be output as Xltm remain in the list.
Step Five: Configure Save Location Settings
After confirming the file list, click the Next button at the bottom. The process bar in the screenshot shows the task is divided into three stages: Select Records to Process, Set Save Location, and Start Processing. Once the current list review is complete, you should proceed to the Set Save Location stage.
The save location determines where the converted xltm files are output. For easier management, it is recommended not to choose a temporary directory arbitrarily, but to create a clear output folder, such as "xltm conversion results," "macro template output," or "Excel templates_Xltm." This way, even if you need to trace back later, you can quickly find the converted files.
Operation Goal: Specify a unified output directory for the batch conversion results.
Expected Result: The save location settings are complete, readying the process to start.
Step Six: Start Processing and Check the Output Files
After setting the save location, enter the Start Processing step. Once the user confirms that the task list and save location are correct, they can have the software execute the batch conversion. The software converts the Excel files to the Xltm format based on the import records. This process replaces the repetitive manual workflow of opening files one by one, saving as xltm, and closing them.
After the conversion is complete, open the output folder to check the results. You can inspect from three aspects: whether the file count matches the record count, whether the extension is .xltm, and whether the main part of the filenames still corresponds to the original template names. The post-processing screenshot shows the conversion results have met expectations.
Operation Goal: Complete the batch output of multiple Excel files to the Xltm format.
Expected Result: Obtain a batch of uniformly formatted xltm template files.
Common Questions and Notes
1. Why not just change the suffix to xltm directly?
Directly changing the suffix does not equal file format conversion and may cause the file to be unable to open or be recognized properly. The correct approach is to use a conversion function to output the target format. The Excel to Xltm process demonstrated in this article is a batch processing workflow designed for format conversion.
2. Do I need to organize files before batch conversion?
It is recommended to organize them first. Placing all Excel files that need conversion into the same folder allows you to use the Import Files from Folder feature and reduces omissions. It's best not to mix files that don't need conversion in the same directory to avoid accidental import.
3. What happens to the source files after conversion?
The screenshots primarily show the change in file format before and after conversion, not the source file handling strategy. In actual operation, refer to the software's save location settings and output results. For safety, it is recommended to keep a backup of the source files before batch processing.
4. Will a very long filename affect recognition?
The name and path are displayed in the list, allowing review even for long filenames. After processing, it's recommended to check the output files to confirm that the main part of the name is still clear and recognizable.
5. Any advice for processing a very large number of files?
If the number of files is very large, it is suggested to process them in batches, for example, splitting folders by department, project, or month. This makes it easier to check the record count and verify the conversion results after processing is complete.
Summary: Batch Converting to Xltm Saves Time When Organizing Excel Templates
Batch converting multiple Excel spreadsheets to Xltm is a typical, highly repetitive office task. Using HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can string together file import, list review, save location setting, and start processing through the Excel to Xltm function in the Excel tool category, reducing the time cost of saving files individually.
If you are dealing with a large number of xlsx spreadsheets, Excel template files, or macro-enabled template files, it is recommended to adopt a batch processing approach. First, organize the source folder, then batch import from the software, verify the list, and uniformly output as xltm. This not only improves efficiency but also makes template archiving more standardized, reducing errors and omissions from manual operation.