When there are a large number of old .xls spreadsheets in a folder, you can use office software to batch convert them to .xlsx, avoiding the need to open and save each one individually. This article explains, based on applicable scenarios, effects before and after conversion, specific operation steps, and considerations, how to choose Excel to Xlsx conversion in HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , import a folder, and complete batch processing.
When a folder contains a large number of old-version Excel spreadsheets, one of the most common organization needs is to uniformly convert .xls to .xlsx. For example, historical financial statements, customer data, inventory lists, project statistics tables, and other files may have accumulated over many years in the old format. As office environments upgrade, continuing to use XLS can lead to format inconsistencies, system import limitations, and collaboration inconveniences.
If there are only one or two files, you can simply save them as XLSX directly in Excel. But if there are dozens of files in a folder, processing them one by one will take a lot of time. This article will use " HeSoft Doc Batch Tool " as an example to introduce how to batch convert Excel files in a folder to XLSX format. Its value lies in turning repetitive file opening and save-as operations into a controllable batch processing workflow.
Applicable Scenario: Upgrading Old-Version Excel Spreadsheets in a Folder
"Batch converting an Excel folder to XLSX" is typically not a single-file process, but part of file organization, data archiving, or data migration. The following scenarios are quite typical:
- Centralized upgrading of old data: A large number of .xls files are kept on a company computer or shared drive and need to be uniformly converted to .xlsx.
- Batch organization of financial statements: Monthly, quarterly, and annual reports are saved by number, with large quantities and consistent naming conventions.
- Pre-migration processing: A new system requires the .xlsx format, and old-version Excel files need to be converted in advance.
- Standardization of departmental documents: Departments like administration, HR, and operations want to unify spreadsheet formats for easier management and handover.
- Reducing repetitive office work: The goal is to avoid manually opening each file and saving it in a new format, opting instead for a one-time import and batch process.
For these scenarios, it is more appropriate to use office software with batch processing capabilities. It can help users centrally select files, set a unified output location, and process multiple Excel files according to the same conversion rules.
Effect Preview: Comparison of File Formats Before and After Conversion
Before Processing: 30 XLS Files in the Folder
In the screenshot before processing, you can see a batch of Excel files arranged in the desktop folder, named from "Financial Statements 1.xls" to "Financial Statements 30.xls". These files have a consistent naming structure, all with the .xls extension.
This type of file is very suitable for batch processing: large quantity, consistent format, and clear objective. If done manually, you would need to repeatedly open each file and save it as XLSX; with a batch conversion tool, these files can be processed as a single overall task.
After Processing: Corresponding XLSX Files Appear in the Folder
The screenshot after processing shows that the same group of files has been converted to .xlsx format, for example, "Financial Statements 1.xlsx", "Financial Statements 2.xlsx", etc. The main part of the filename and the numbering are retained, while the extension has changed from .xls to .xlsx.
This shows that the result of batch conversion is relatively intuitive: old-version Excel files complete the format upgrade and can subsequently continue to be used for editing, archiving, sharing, or uploading.
Operation Steps: Batch Convert Excel Files in an Entire Folder to XLSX
Step 1: Enter the Excel Tools Category in the Software
After opening " HeSoft Doc Batch Tool ", you can see a clear functional category navigation on the left. As software designed for batch processing office documents, it organizes processing capabilities for different types of documents by module, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, Text, Images, and more.
This time we need to process Excel spreadsheets, so first click Excel Tools on the left. After entering this category, batch functions related to Excel files will be displayed on the right.
Step 2: Find and Click "Excel Convert to Xlsx"
On the Excel Tools page, you can see multiple function cards. According to the screenshot, the page includes different conversion functions like "Excel Convert to PDF", "Excel Convert to Csv", "Excel Convert to Xls", "Excel Convert to Xlsx", etc. Since the goal this time is to upgrade old .xls to .xlsx, you should choose "Excel Convert to Xlsx".
The description below this function card says "Batch convert Excel files to Xlsx format", which matches the requirement. After clicking, the software will enter the dedicated conversion task page.
Step 3: Use "Import Files from Folder" to Add Spreadsheets in Batch
After entering the "Excel Convert to Xlsx" page, you can see "Add Files" and "Import Files from Folder" buttons on the top right. If your files are already placed in the same folder, it is recommended to choose "Import Files from Folder".
The purpose of doing this is to add the Excel files from the folder to the task list in one go, reducing the repetitive work of selecting files. For the 30 Financial Statements files in the example, using folder import is more efficient than adding them one by one.
After the import is complete, the files will appear in the table list below. The list displays information such as name, path, extension, creation time, modification time, etc., making it easy to check before conversion.
Step 4: Check the Imported List and Confirm the Extension is XLS
Before batch conversion, it is advisable not to rush into the next step but to check the imported list first. In the screenshot, the extension column shows xls, indicating these files are indeed the old Excel format. The path column shows the file location, and the name column shows the specific name of each file.
You can focus on checking the following content:
- Whether files from the target folder were imported: The path should be consistent with the directory you intend to process.
- Whether the number of files meets expectations: If there are 30 XLS files in the folder, the list should display these records correspondingly.
- Whether unrelated files were mixed in: If irrelevant files are found, they can be deleted through the operation column.
- Whether reselection is needed: If imported incorrectly, you can use "Clear" and then re-add.
This step seems simple, but it is crucial for batch processing. Because once a batch task starts, the software will execute uniformly according to the list. Checking in advance can reduce subsequent rework.
Step 5: Click "Next" to Enter the Save Location Settings
After confirming the list is correct, click the "Next" button at the bottom. Step 2 in the page flow is labeled "Set save location", indicating that you need to specify where the converted XLSX files will be saved next.
It is recommended to set up a separate output folder for the conversion results. For example, you can create an "XLSX_Results" folder next to the original folder. This keeps the original .xls files and the converted .xlsx files separate, making subsequent verification clearer.
As the screenshot does not show all the content of the save location page, specific button names not present in the screenshot will not be elaborated here. In actual operation, you can select or confirm the save location according to the software interface prompts.
Step 6: Start Processing and View the Conversion Results
After completing the save location settings, the process will enter "Start Processing". Launch the batch conversion according to the page prompts, and the software will output the Excel files in the imported list as XLSX.
Once processing is finished, open the save location to view the results. The expected status is: a corresponding .xlsx file is generated for each original .xls file; the main filename remains consistent, and the extension has been converted. Combined with the after-processing screenshot, you can see the Financial Statements series of files have all been unified into XLSX format.
Frequently Asked Questions and Notes
1. Why Convert XLS to XLSX?
XLS is an old-version Excel format, while XLSX is the more commonly used workbook format now. Unifying files to XLSX is beneficial for document standardization and makes it easier to continue using them in current office software and business systems.
2. Will Batch Conversion Change the File Content?
The scenario discussed in this article focuses on file format conversion, i.e., from .xls to .xlsx. It is recommended to spot-check several files after conversion to confirm that the table content, number of worksheets, and key data are normal. Extra caution is advised when dealing with financial or business data.
3. Can I Choose to Convert Only Some Files?
Yes. Based on the screenshots, the page provides an "Add Files" button, suitable for selecting specific files; it also provides "Import Files from Folder", suitable for adding an entire folder in batch. After import, if there are files you don't need to process, you can also delete them from the list.
4. How to Check the List When There Are Many Files?
The screenshots show list features like pagination, items per page, filtering, and sorting. When the number of files is large, you can use these functions to view and filter, ensuring the records to be processed are accurate.
5. What Should Be Noted Before Conversion?
It is recommended to back up the original files first, close any currently open related Excel files, and confirm the folder path is correct. If a file is being occupied by another program, it might affect the processing. For important reports, a sample should be opened and checked after conversion is complete.
Summary: Using Office Software to Batch Complete Excel Format Upgrades
The core value of batch converting old-version XLS spreadsheets in a folder to XLSX is not just "changing the extension", but turning many repetitive manual save-as operations into a single standardized batch process. For financial statements, historical ledgers, business data, and departmental documents, format uniformity makes subsequent management clearer.
When using " HeSoft Doc Batch Tool ", you only need to enter the Excel Tools, choose "Excel Convert to Xlsx", build a processing list by adding files or importing from a folder, then set the save location and start processing according to the workflow. The entire process revolves around batch file processing, suitable for users looking to improve office efficiency and reduce repetitive operations.
If you currently have a batch of .xls files that need to be upgraded to .xlsx, it is recommended to first organize the source files into a single folder, and then follow the steps in this article for batch conversion. This will not only improve processing speed but also make the files before and after conversion easier to verify and manage.