How to open a .XL file online
Three steps, a few seconds, no Excel.
Choose your .XL file
Drag your .XL file onto the box above, or click Choose file.
Supported
Your .XL file is opened: every sheet, formula and merged range.
Browse, search, export
Switch sheets, click a cell to see its formula, search the whole sheet and export it as CSV or JSON.
What is a .XL file?
Everything worth knowing about Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (legacy) files.
An XL file is an early Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that predates today's .xls and .xlsx formats. Open it in Microsoft Excel or the free LibreOffice Calc; if the app refuses the .xl extension, rename a copy to .xls and try again. The main concern is that old Excel binaries can contain macros, so do not enable them unless you trust the source.
Programs that open .XL files
| Full name | Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (legacy) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft Corporation |
| First released | Late 1980s (early Microsoft Excel for Windows worksheet) |
| Category | Documents |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| Signature | D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 (OLE2/CFBF compound-file header (for OLE-era Excel binaries)) |
Related viewers
Other free viewers for related formats.
Is my .XL file uploaded anywhere?
No. Your .XL file is opened for you.
Are formulas recalculated?
The viewer shows the values Excel or LibreOffice saved in the file, plus the formula behind each cell when you click it. It doesn't recalculate, so what you see is exactly what the author saw when saving.
Can I open a password-protected .XL file?
Not yet. Files encrypted with a password to open are detected and reported; sheets that are only "protected against editing" open normally.
Why doesn't my chart or image show?
This viewer focuses on cell data: values, formulas, merged cells and fill colours. Charts, images and pivot table layouts are not drawn yet.
How big a file can I open?
Up to 50 MB. Large sheets are shown 500 rows at a time so your browser stays fast. Search still covers every row.
Was this tool helpful?
Your rating helps us decide which tools to improve next.