Ever hit a wall trying to open a WPS Spreadsheet (.et) file in Excel or Google Sheets? It’s a real pain when compatibility issues mess with your data or formatting. Wondering how to convert WPS to Excel quickly, for free, and without losing those carefully crafted charts or formulas? I’ve got you covered with three simple, tested methods—online and offline—to make your spreadsheets shine in Excel. Let’s jump in and get your files sorted!
Part 1: Why Convert WPS to Excel
WPS Office’s files, used in its Spreadsheet tool, are fantastic within the WPS ecosystem but often stumble outside it. I’ve watched teammates struggle to open .et files in Microsoft Excel, ending up with jumbled numbers or files that won’t load at all. Converting WPS to Excel (.xls or .xlsx) fixes this, making your data universally accessible and easy to share. Whether you’re sending reports to clients, collaborating with colleagues, or importing data into other tools, Excel’s widespread compatibility is a lifesaver. In my work, switching to Excel formats has been a game-changer for smooth collaboration with folks who don’t use WPS Office. It’s not just about opening files—it’s about ensuring your data looks polished and professional, no matter the platform.
Part 2: 3 Ways to Convert WPS to Excel
I’ve tested three free methods to convert WPS to Excel, each designed to be straightforward and reliable. Whether you prefer offline or online solutions, these will keep your data intact.
Method 1: Use WPS Office’s ‘Save As’ Function
WPS Office’s built-in ‘Save As’ feature is my top choice for converting .et files to Excel—it’s fast, offline, and doesn’t require extra tools. Perfect for anyone who already uses WPS or wants a no-hassle solution.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Fire up WPS Spreadsheet and open your .et file.
Step 2: Click ‘Menu’ in the top left corner and choose ‘Save As.’
Step 3: Select Excel format (.xls or .xlsx) from the list.
Step 4: Give your file a name (if needed) and pick a save folder.
Step 5: Hit ‘Save,’ and your Excel file is ready to go.
I used this to convert a .et file packed with sales data, including pivot tables and graphs, for a client presentation. The whole process took under 10 seconds, and every formula and chart came through perfectly in .xlsx. I love that it works offline, especially when I’m on spotty Wi-Fi. Compared to online converters, it’s quicker, more secure, and preserves every detail. I’ve also converted batches of .et files this way, saving tons of time for quarterly reports.
Method 2: Convertio
Convertio is a crowd-favorite online tool for WPS Excel conversions, offering a free, user-friendly platform that’s great for those who don’t want to install software. It supports cloud uploads, making it ideal for remote work.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Head to convertio.co/wps-xls.
Step 2: Click ‘Choose Files’ and upload your .et or .wps file from your device or cloud storage.
Step 3: Choose .xls or .xlsx as your output format.
Step 4: Click ‘Convert’ and wait a moment for the process to finish.
Step 5: Download your new Excel file.
I tried Convertio with a .et inventory spreadsheet for a small business project. It converted in about 20 seconds, but a complex conditional formatting rule got slightly scrambled, needing a quick fix. For simpler files, it’s spot-on, and the ability to pull files from Google Drive was a huge plus when I was working from a shared folder. Compared to WPS Office’s ‘Save As,’ it’s a bit slower and less precise for intricate data, but it’s a solid backup for quick, one-off conversions.
Method 3: PDF Mall
PDF Mall is a lesser-known but effective online platform for WPS to Excel conversions, with a clean interface that makes the process painless. It’s perfect for users on public or shared computers.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Visit pdfmall.com/wps-to-xlsx.
Step 2: Click ‘Choose File’ and upload your .et or .wps file.
Step 3: Hit ‘Start Conversion’ to kick things off.
Step 4: Once it’s done, click ‘Download’ to grab your Excel file.
I converted a .et file with monthly expense data using PDF Mall, and it worked well, though some cell borders needed tweaking afterward. The process was smooth, taking about 30 seconds, and the website’s simplicity was refreshing—no pop-ups or clutter. It’s not as fast or precise as WPS Office’s desktop tool, but it’s a great option when I’m on a borrowed laptop or need a quick fix. I found it slightly slower than Convertio, but the results were comparable for basic spreadsheets.
Part 3: Best Free Alternative to Microsoft Office — WPS Office
WPS Office isn’t just a tool to convert WPS to Excel—it’s a full-blown, free office suite that rivals Microsoft Office without the steep cost. I’ve leaned on it for years, from drafting reports to crunching numbers, and it’s never let me down. Here’s what makes it shine:
Writer: Create polished documents, from memos to manuscripts.
Spreadsheet: Handle data analysis with Excel-like power.
Presentation: Design eye-catching slides for meetings or classes.
PDF Tools: View, convert, and edit PDFs with ease.
Top WPS AI Features for Spreadsheets:
AI Formula Assistant: Turns plain English (e.g., “average sales by month”) into perfect formulas.
Smart Data Cleaning: Finds and fixes duplicates, blank cells, or errors in seconds.
AI Chart Recommendations: Picks the best chart for your data, no guesswork needed.
Natural Language to Formula: Converts questions like “What’s the total profit?” into formulas.
AI Data Insights: Spots trends and highlights key stats automatically.
The AI Formula Assistant saved my bacon when I needed a VLOOKUP for a client dataset—it wrote the formula faster than I could Google it. Smart Data Cleaning caught duplicate entries in a 500-row contact list, sparing me hours of manual scrubbing. The AI Chart Recommendations turned a raw sales table into a sleek bar graph that wowed my boss. Compared to Excel, WPS Office’s AI feels like a personal data coach, and it’s all free. I’ve used it on everything from my old Windows laptop to my iPhone, and it’s always snappy.
FAQs
Q1: What is a .et file?
A .et file is WPS Spreadsheet’s native format, akin to Excel’s .xlsx, used for storing data, charts, and formulas.
Q2: Is online conversion safe?
Yes, reputable platforms like Convertio and PDF Mall delete files after conversion, but stick to trusted sites to keep your data secure.
Q3: Can I convert .et to .xls on mobile?
Definitely! The WPS Office mobile app lets you use ‘Save As’ to convert .et to .xls or .xlsx, just like on a computer.
Q4: Will formatting be preserved?
Usually, yes, but review your converted file for minor layout or formula tweaks, especially with online tools.
Q5: Is WPS Office really free?
Yes, the core version is free, offering full editing and conversion features with no hidden fees.
Summary
Turning WPS to Excel is a breeze with these three free methods, but WPS Office’s ‘Save As’ feature steals the show for its speed, precision, and offline reliability. Online options like Convertio and PDF Mall are handy for quick conversions, but they can falter with complex formatting compared to WPS Office. Beyond conversions, WPS Office’s free suite—featuring Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and game-changing AI tools like the Formula Assistant and Data Insights—makes it a top alternative to Microsoft Office. Download it from wps.com to supercharge your workflow. I’ve relied on WPS Office to convert WPS to Excel for everything from budgets to client reports, and its AI features have transformed raw data into polished, professional outputs, saving me time and earning rave reviews.
