When working with Excel files, you may come across two formats: XLS and XLSX. While both formats seem similar and can be opened and used in MS Office, what exactly sets them apart? Why are there two formats in the first place? And most importantly, how can we convert between them? This article will explain the key differences between XLS and XLSX, and demonstrate how to convert XLS to XLSX and vice versa using Python, helping you gain a more thorough understanding of Excel file formats and conversion techniques.
Python Excel libraries for Conversions XLS and XLSX
For a simpler approach to converting between XLS and XLSX, third-party Excel libraries can be very helpful. Enterprise-level solutions like Spire.XLS and Aspose.Cells are particularly powerful. These libraries not only handle format conversions between XLS and XLSX, but they also support a wide range of other scenarios, such as converting Excel files to Word, PDF, HTML, and more. Additionally, they offer advanced features for working with cells, tables, and Excel documents in greater detail.
However, while libraries like Pandas and OpenPyXL can also convert XLSX to XLS, they do have limitations. For instance, OpenPyXL cannot read or write XLS files, which means seamless conversion between the two formats is not possible. In comparison, Spire.XLS stands out due to its comprehensive features, intuitive APIs, and excellent technical support, making it a great choice for both beginners and professionals looking to efficiently manage Excel files. You can install it using the pip command: pip install Spire.XLS.
XLS vs XLSX: Pros and Cons
XLS is a binary file format, typically smaller in size and offering faster read speeds. It is also known for its better compatibility, especially with older versions of Excel (Excel 97-2003), making it widely used in legacy systems. However, XLS has limitations when it comes to handling complex data operations, and it lacks some advanced features, such as robust security.
On the other hand, XLSX is an open, XML-based file format introduced with Excel 2007. Its XML structure makes it easier to extract and process data. XLSX is also better suited for handling large datasets and advanced operations, such as conditional formatting, pivot tables, and charts. Additionally, it offers superior cross-platform support and enhanced security features. However, XLSX files tend to be larger than XLS files, and they have compatibility issues with older versions of Excel.
In general, XLSX is recommended, especially when working with larger data sets or needing advanced features. However, XLS may still be a good option for simpler data or when compatibility with older Excel versions is required.
How to Convert XLS to XLSX Using Python in 3 Steps
Converting XLS to XLSX is a common task, as XLSX offers more advantages, such as better support for larger datasets and advanced features. While Excel's 'Save As' function can handle this conversion, it becomes time-consuming when dealing with multiple files, and version incompatibilities may arise. In this chapter, we will explore how to use Python to efficiently convert XLS to XLSX quickly, avoiding compatibility issues and saving time.
Steps to convert XLS to XLSX in Python:
Create an object of the Workbook class.
Read an XLS file from the local storage using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
Save the XLS file as an XLSX file with the Workbook.SaveToFile() method.
Here is the code example of converting an XLS workbook to an XLSX file:
from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *
# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load the XLS file
workbook.LoadFromFile("/invoice sample.xls")
# Save the XLS file to the XLSX format
workbook.SaveToFile("/XlsToXlsx.xlsx", ExcelVersion.Version2016)
# Release the resource
workbook.Dispose()
Convert XLSX to XLS in Python Quickly and Easily
Converting XLSX to XLS may be necessary in cases where you're using an older version of Excel. With Spire.XLS for Python, you can easily convert XLSX to XLS using the Workbook.SaveToFile() method in just three simple steps. Let's go through the specific steps and see how it's done.
Steps to convert XLSX to XLS in Python:
Create an instance of the Workbook class.
Load an XLSX file with the Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
Save the XLSX file as an XLS file using the Workbook.SaveToFile() method.
Below is the code example of converting an XLSX workbook to an XLS file:
from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *
# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load the XLSX file
workbook.LoadFromFile("/sample.xlsx")
# Save the XLSX file to the XLS format
workbook.SaveToFile("/XlsxToXls.xls", ExcelVersion.Version97to2003)
# Release the resource
workbook.Dispose()
The Conclusion
In this article, we've explored the differences between XLS and XLSX formats, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. We've also provided step-by-step instructions and code examples for converting between XLS and XLSX using Python. After reading this guide, you should be able to easily perform these conversions in just a few simple steps.
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