XLSX Drops Macros
Pain
Save As Excel Workbook (*.xlsx) and buttons, event handlers, and custom functions disappear with no undo.
WPS Solution
XLS to XLSM — pick Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook so VBA stays in the new file.
XLS to XLSM
XLS to XLSM Converter for Excel Macro Workbooks
Convert XLS to XLSM in WPS Spreadsheet when old Excel 97-2003 files still hold VBA. Save as a modern Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook so macros survive—unlike .xlsx, which strips them.
0 Monthly Active Users
Windows · Mac · Linux · Mobile
Local Save As · macros kept
Q3-Sales-Report.xls → .xlsm
Compatibility Mode — Save As XLSM to keep VBA (XLSX drops macros)
fx
=SUMIF(B2:B6,"Closed",C2:C6)
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Region | Status | Revenue | Owner |
| 2 | APAC | Closed | $48,200 | Maya |
| 3 | EMEA | Pipeline | $31,750 | Omar |
| 4 | NA | Closed | $62,410 | Lia |
| 5 | LATAM | Closed | $19,080 | Diego |
.xls
Save As .xlsm
Macros
WPS Spreadsheet XLS to XLSM preview
Pain → Solution
Why XLS to XLSM Beats Saving as XLSX
Old .xls files still run macros. Saving them as .xlsx deletes VBA. WPS Spreadsheet converts XLS to XLSM locally so automation stays in the file.
Stuck in Compatibility Mode
Pain
Excel 97-2003 .xls caps sheets at 65,536 rows and 256 columns and blocks newer spreadsheet features.
WPS Solution
Modern .xlsm — leave Compatibility Mode without throwing away the macros you still need.
Online Converters Fail VBA
Pain
Web upload tools often flatten macros or refuse .xls files that contain code—and they see your data.
WPS Solution
Local Save As — convert XLS to XLSM on your PC or Mac. No third-party upload.
Need Excel Just to Save As
Pain
A Microsoft 365 seat is overkill when you only need to upgrade one legacy workbook with macros.
WPS Solution
Free Spreadsheet — open .xls, Save As .xlsm, then keep editing in the same suite.
Built Into WPS Spreadsheet
Convert XLS to XLSM Free — WPS Office
Stop hunting for a one-off converter. Open the .xls file, choose Save As Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook, and keep VBA on your device.
xls to xlsm
Keep macros
Local Save As
Download WPS App Free
One installer · Writer + Spreadsheet + Presentation + PDF
Key Features of WPS Office XLS to XLSM
Everything you need to convert XLS to XLSM inside WPS Spreadsheet—keep VBA, leave Compatibility Mode, and save the file locally.
Convert XLS to XLSM in a Few Clicks
No extra converter. Open the old .xls file and Save As .xlsm—don’t just rename the extension in Explorer.
- Open the .xls file, then choose Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm) from the type list.
- Keep sheets, formulas, charts, and formatting while the file moves to Open XML.
- Re-open the new .xlsm and confirm macros still appear before you archive the original.
Save As
*.xlsm
Open XML
WPS Spreadsheet · Save As .xlsm
VBA kept · not XLSX
Keep Your Macros When You Upgrade the File
Saving as .xlsx wipes VBA. Buttons, event handlers, and custom functions disappear with no undo.
- Choose .xlsm whenever Developer → Macros lists any procedures in the old .xls file.
- If there is no VBA, save as XLSX instead to avoid empty macro-security warnings.
- On Windows, enable macros only after you trust the sender and, if needed, install the VBA component.
VBA
Not XLSX
Check Macros
Unlock More Rows and Charts Without Losing Macros
Old .xls files stop at 65,536 rows and 256 columns, and they block newer Excel features.
- XLS to XLSM upgrades the file to Open XML while still allowing VBA modules.
- Use modern row limits, richer charts, and newer functions after you leave Compatibility Mode.
- Share the .xlsm with teammates who already expect a macro-enabled workbook.
1M+ rows
Modern Excel
Share .xlsm
Windows · Mac · Linux · mobile
Private convert · no upload
Safer, Private Conversion—Files Stay on Your Device
Online converters upload your spreadsheet. WPS converts locally, so payroll and finance files never leave this computer.
- Convert 100% on your device—payroll and finance workbooks never need a website upload.
- Inspect sheets first, then enable macros only if you trust the original .xls source.
- Keep working in the same installer: Writer, Presentation, and PDF ship with Spreadsheet.
Private convert
No upload
Files stay local
Spreadsheet Templates
Excel Templates You Can Open After XLS to XLSM
Start from real WPS Excel templates—budgets, invoices, inventory, and schedules—then keep working in the same Spreadsheet app you used for XLS to XLSM.
Need macros in a fresh sheet? Convert XLS to XLSM, then start from a WPS Excel template.
Free DownloadREAL USERS · WPS OFFICE
Teams Convert XLS to XLSM Without Buying Excel
Finance and ops keep VBA in legacy workbooks by saving as .xlsm in WPS Spreadsheet—locally, on every platform.
0
Users
5
Platforms
XLS→XLSM
Save As
Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iOS
★★★★★
"Our old .xls pack still had macros. Saving as XLSX killed them. WPS XLS to XLSM kept the buttons and we did not buy Excel."
JK
Jordan K.
Operations Analyst
3 Steps
How to Use WPS Office XLS to XLSM in 3 Steps
1
Download and install WPS Office
Install the free suite on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android. XLS to XLSM conversion lives in WPS Spreadsheet—no extra converter.
2
Open your .xls workbook
Choose File → Open and select the Excel 97-2003 file. Sheets, formulas, and existing macros load locally. Check Developer → Macros if you need to confirm VBA is present.
3
Save As Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook
Choose File → Save As, pick Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm), and save. Re-open the new file and test trusted macros. If there is no VBA, use .xlsx instead.
FAQ
FAQ about XLS to XLSM
Open the .xls file in WPS Spreadsheet, go to File → Save As, and choose Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm). That is the standard XLS to XLSM path when the workbook contains VBA macros you need to keep.
XLS is the older Excel 97-2003 binary format. XLSX is the modern Open XML workbook and cannot store VBA. XLSM is the same modern XML format with macros enabled. Use XLS to XLSM when you are leaving Compatibility Mode and still need macros.
Yes—if you choose .xlsm. Saving as .xlsx silently drops VBA. After XLS to XLSM conversion, reopen the file, check Developer → Macros, and test trusted automation before you delete the original .xls.
No. If there is no VBA, save as XLSX instead. An empty .xlsm still looks macro-enabled, which can trigger email filters and security warnings for no benefit.
Yes. WPS Spreadsheet opens .xls files and Save As supports Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm). Conversion runs locally, so you do not need a Microsoft 365 seat or an online converter.
WPS converts files on your device, so payroll, finance, and HR workbooks do not need to be uploaded to a third-party website. Still enable macros only from senders you trust—XLSM can contain VBA.
FREE DOWNLOAD · ALL PLATFORMS
Keep VBA When You Convert with WPS Office XLS to XLSM
Download WPS Office free and convert XLS to XLSM locally—Save As Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook without a Microsoft Excel license.
- XLS to XLSM on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile
- Local Save As—macros kept, no website upload
- Trusted by 600M+ users worldwide
One installer · Writer + Spreadsheet + Presentation + PDF
