Guide
The Best CSV to XLS Free Converter

CSV is a simple file format used to store tabular data such as a spreadsheet or database. Files in the CSV format can be imported to and exported from programs that store data in tables, such as Microsoft Excel or OpenOffice Calc. CSV stands for “comma-separated values”. You can save a document with any name, but you’ll want to change it so it ends with “.csv” when you save it. When you open the file, the spreadsheet application will know what program made it and how to use the data correctly.
Contents
What is a CSV file?
CSV files are used to store tabular data. CSV is an abbreviation for comma-separated-values, which means that the field values in a CSV file are separated by commas. The best way to describe it is as a text file format with specific delimiters, just like XML or JSON.
CSV files can be opened in any spreadsheet software that supports this type of format (e.g., Microsoft Excel and OpenOffice Calc). Many apps will also work with CSV files directly, so if you have AccuWeather on your phone and want to export your current weather conditions into an Excel spreadsheet at home later so you can share them with friends over email or Dropbox, all you need to do is go into Settings > Data Usage > Export Data In A Format and select Comma Separated Values (CSV). Then choose which page(s) you want to export and press “Export Selected Pages” at the bottom right corner of your screen.
If all of this sounds confusing, don’t worry! We’ve created some helpful guides below explaining how CSV works as well as how best practices should be applied when using our own products
Where is the CSV file used?
The CSV file is widely used in data transfer. The most common way it’s used is by spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and OpenOffice Calc to save data in a table format (also known as comma delimited). CSV files can be easily imported into these programs using the import tool that comes with most of them.
Other uses for the CSV file include:
- Database applications like MySQL or Oracle have a function called Import that allows you to import data from another source into your database. With this function, you can also export your tables as a CSV file if you want to use it in other applications or share it with someone else so they can work on the same data set as yours.
- Many web applications allow users to upload their .CSV files and download them when finished working on them so that anyone else who needs access to those same records can get what they need without having direct access themselves (they would still need permission from whoever owns those records though). This allows multiple users across different locations/companies/countries etc., who might not even know each other let alone trust each other enough yet, to come together around one common goal: getting this project done!
1. LibreOffice Calc
LibreOffice Calc is a spreadsheet application that can be used just like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. It’s open-source, cross-platform, and free to use. The software is compatible with other software like Microsoft Office (even on Macs), so you don’t need to worry about your data being blocked from being imported into another program.
It’s available in many languages including English and French, as well as German, Spanish and Romanian—to mention just a few of the popular options. You can also use it if you speak Hebrew or Arabic because there are versions available for those languages too!
Perhaps most importantly of all though: LibreOffice Calc is powerful enough for professionals yet easy enough for beginners who haven’t used this type of software before (or even computers).
2. csv2excel
csv2excel is a free, open-source command-line utility that can convert CSV files to Microsoft Excel format. This tool is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
It was developed by CloudBerry Lab as part of their cloud storage management platform called CloudBerry Explorer which allows you to manage all your cloud accounts from one place. The csv2excel tool was created in 2016 and updated regularly ever since then.
3. WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet is a free spreadsheet application that you can use to create, edit and manage spreadsheets. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. WPS Spreadsheet is a good alternative to Microsoft Excel because it can read and write CSV files (comma-separated values) and view XLS files (Microsoft Excel format).
If you want to convert a CSV to XLS, the process is very easy if you use this free software. All you have to do is open your CSV file in WPS Spreadsheet and click on ‘Save As’ from the File menu. Then select XLS as the format type before saving your document as an XLS file with all of its data intact!
4. SoftMaker FreeOffice
SoftMaker FreeOffice is a free, open-source, and cross-platform office suite. It runs on Windows and Linux, so you can use it on your PC or notebook. The software has no installation required and does not contain any macros or adware.
SoftMaker FreeOffice saves all files in the OpenDocument format, which makes them compatible with other programs such as LibreOffice and Apache OpenOffice. The software also allows you to import data from Microsoft Excel spreadsheets in XLSX format into an OpenDocument Spreadsheet (ODS).
5. Gnumeric
Gnumeric is a free spreadsheet application that is used to create and edit spreadsheets. Gnumeric can read, write, and convert between many spreadsheet file formats.
It is capable of handling large datasets and has advanced features such as data series plotting, encryption, Pivot Tables/Charts, macros, etc. You can also download this software for Windows or Mac OS X for free by visiting the official website at gnumeric.org.
This is one of those cases where it pays to have the right tool for the job. Need to convert from CSV to XLS quickly and have control over formatting? Then go with LibreOffice Calc or WPS Spreadsheet. If you know exactly what you want and just want a simple conversion, then check out csv2excel or SoftMaker FreeOffice. Or, if you’re looking for something free that can do it all with high-quality design, our best recommendation is Gnumeric!