XLS → XLSX (Preserve Embeds)

Convert legacy .xls files to .xlsx/.xlsm using Microsoft Excel automation, preserving embedded objects (images, PDFs, Outlook .msg, etc.).

Requirements

• Windows: Microsoft Excel installed (COM automation).
• macOS: Microsoft Excel installed (AppleScript).
• Linux: Not supported (without LibreOffice; fidelity for OLE is not guaranteed).

Usage

• Right-click an .xls in Explorer → Convert XLS to XLSX/XLSM (Preserve Embeds).
• Or run the command from the Command Palette.

Settings

• xls2xlsx.forceXlsmWhenMacros (default: true): if the source has VBA, save as .xlsm.
• xls2xlsx.enableVerification (default: true): compare embedded object counts before/after.

Notes

• If you have macros, .xlsx will drop them. This extension will save as .xlsm automatically.
• Password-protected workbooks will prompt via Excel; provide the password when asked.
• After conversion, embedded OLE packages appear under xl/embeddings/* in the .xlsx/.xlsm.