How to convert XLS to TSV
To convert XLS to TSV, upload your XLS file, choose TSV as the output format and press Convert. The finished TSV file is ready to save to your phone or computer in seconds, free, with no watermark and no sign-up. Your file is deleted from our server about 30 minutes after the conversion.
This free online converter turns XLS spreadsheet files into TSV in your browser, with no software to install and no watermark. The conversion runs on our server using LibreOffice and pandas, and the result is ready to save to your phone or computer in seconds. Your XLS file is deleted automatically about 30 minutes after the conversion.
Reasons to switch from XLS to TSV
- Safe for data that contains commas
- Simple and readable
- Opens in spreadsheets and databases
- Opens in: Excel, Google Sheets, databases, Python, R and text editors
What to expect from this conversion
- TSV stores a single table, so formatting, colours, charts and formulas are dropped and only the values are kept. Only the first sheet is exported to CSV and TSV; JSON keeps every sheet.
XLS vs TSV
| Property | XLS | TSV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Excel 97-2003 Workbook | Tab-Separated Values |
| Released | 1997, Microsoft | 1980, Universal |
| Family | Spreadsheet | Spreadsheet |
| Opens in | Microsoft Excel (all versions), LibreOffice and Google Sheets | Excel, Google Sheets, databases, Python, R and text editors |
| Best for | old Excel versions; legacy business software | text with many commas; bioinformatics and data science |
Steps to convert XLS to TSV
- Drop your XLS file onto the converter, or click to choose it.
- Check that TSV is selected as the target format and adjust the options if you want.
- Press Convert, then save the new TSV file to your device when it finishes.
Tips for the best result
- Check that the first row contains your column names.
- Use XLSX when you need several sheets.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert XLS to TSV?
Drop your XLS file on the converter, confirm that TSV is the target format and press Convert. When it finishes, press Save to device or download the TSV file. No account or software is needed.
Is the XLS to TSV converter free?
Yes. It is free, with no watermark, no sign-up and no limit on how many files you convert. The site is supported by ads.
What should I know before converting XLS to TSV?
TSV stores a single table, so formatting, colours, charts and formulas are dropped and only the values are kept. Only the first sheet is exported to CSV and TSV; JSON keeps every sheet.
Will formulas and formatting be kept when converting XLS to TSV?
TSV stores a single table, so formatting, colours, charts and formulas are dropped and only the values are kept. Only the first sheet is exported to CSV and TSV; JSON keeps every sheet.
Which programs open TSV files?
TSV files open in Excel, Google Sheets, databases, Python, R and text editors.
How large a file can I convert?
Up to 100 MB per file. Files are deleted from the server about 30 minutes after conversion, and no one looks at them.