XLS to OTS Converter
Convert XLS to OTS online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.
Maximum file size is 1GB
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Three steps to your converted file
Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.
Upload your file
Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.
Choose an output format
Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.
Convert & download
Hit Convert and grab your download link moments later. Originals are erased when the job completes; results are cleared within about an hour.
What is an XLS file?
The XLS format utilizes the Binary Interchange File Format (BIFF) scheme, serving as the default spreadsheet standard for Microsoft Excel from versions 2.0 through 2003. Encapsulated within the Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Compound File Binary Format (CFBF), XLS files store data in binary streams rather than XML. This proprietary structure supports formulas, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros, and charts but lacks the compression efficiency and corruption resilience of the newer XML-based standards.
How to open an XLS file
Microsoft Excel remains the primary software for full fidelity access to XLS files. On Windows and macOS, the operating system associates these files with the Office suite if installed. Alternatively, open-source solutions like LibreOffice Calc and Gnumeric provide robust reverse-engineered support for reading and editing XLS binaries on Linux and other platforms without requiring Microsoft licenses.
XLS Technical Info
- Full Name
- Excel Binary File Format
- Developed By
- Microsoft
- Initial Release
- 1987
- MIME Type
- application/vnd.ms-excel
What is an OTS file?
The OpenDocument Spreadsheet Template (OTS) is a file format defined by the OASIS OpenDocument standard (ISO/IEC 26300) specifically for creating reusable spreadsheet blueprints. Structurally identical to the ODS format, it uses ZIP compression to package XML content and styles. The primary technical distinction lies in the file header flags, which instruct the software to open a new, untitled instance of the spreadsheet rather than modifying the original template file, preserving the source data structure and formulas.
How to open an OTS file
OTS files function seamlessly with ODF-compliant software including LibreOffice Calc and Apache OpenOffice across all major operating systems. While Microsoft Excel can open these files, users may need to manually select the file type in the open dialog. Double-clicking an OTS file typically launches a new workbook based on the template rather than opening the template file itself for editing.
OTS Technical Info
- Full Name
- OpenDocument Spreadsheet Template
- Developed By
- OASIS
- Initial Release
- 2005
- MIME Type
- application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet-template
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Why RunConvert
The fastest way to convert any file
Purpose-built for speed, privacy, and breadth of format support.
Convert XLS to OTS in seconds
Every XLS to OTS conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.
Fast, cloud-powered
No queue, no waiting. Files are processed on high-performance servers and returned in seconds, even for large files.
Secure & private
Encrypted in transit and never shared with anyone. Uploads are erased the moment your job completes, and results shortly after.
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Developer API
Convert XLS to OTS via API
Automate XLS to OTS conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.
# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"tag": "xls-to-ots",
"tasks": {
"upload-file": {
"operation": "import/upload"
},
"convert": {
"operation": "convert",
"input": "upload-file",
"output_format": "ots"
},
"export-result": {
"operation": "export/url",
"input": "convert"
}
}
}'
# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.xls
# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.