┌─ FILE ANALYSIS ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┐
│ DEVELOPER : Microsoft
│ CATEGORY : Document
│ MIME TYPE : application/vnd.ms-excel
│ MAGIC BYTES : D0CF11E0A1B11AE1
└ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┘
What is an XLS file?
XLS is the binary spreadsheet format used by Microsoft Excel from 1997 to 2003. It stores data in worksheets with cells organized in rows and columns, supporting formulas, charts, pivot tables, and macros. It was replaced by the XML-based XLSX format in Excel 2007.
How to open XLS files
- Microsoft Excel (Windows, macOS, Web) — Full support
- Google Sheets (Web) — Free, online editing
- LibreOffice Calc (Windows, macOS, Linux) — Free
- Apple Numbers (macOS, iOS) — Free
- WPS Spreadsheets (Windows, macOS) — Free
Technical specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | BIFF (Binary Interchange File Format) |
| Max Rows | 65,536 |
| Max Columns | 256 (IV) |
| Max Sheets | Limited by memory |
| Macros | VBA macro support |
| Charts | Embedded chart objects |
Programs that open XLS files
- Microsoft Excel — Native spreadsheet editor
- Google Sheets — Free online alternative
- LibreOffice Calc — Free desktop alternative
- WPS Spreadsheets — Free office suite
- Apache OpenOffice Calc — Open-source option
Common use cases
- Legacy spreadsheets: Old Excel files from pre-2007
- Financial data: Budgets, accounting, financial models
- Data analysis: Statistical analysis and reporting
- Compatibility: Sharing with legacy systems