It often happens that in spite of the appropriate software to support the file type, we cannot cope with it. File formats CSV and XLS are similar and we can convert from the format CSV to XLS. After performing this operation, we can use the programs that support file XLS. Perhaps after the conversion, it will be easier for us to perform the intended activities.

Below is a list of programs that will convert the file CSV to XLS.

In the following part of the article you will find additional information. Read it before you start the conversion process, you may find a simpler way to solve your problem.

• What exactly is data conversion?
• How to perform the CSV to XLS conversion?
• Conversion through the intermediate format

Attention!
Always check whether the applications that support the CSV file as default do not have built-in ways to save the data in a different format, such as XLS. This situation often occurs and there is no need to download special software then.

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Software
"Data conversion" we define some actions to change the file format that stores specific information to another format. Data conversion is changing the way of presentation of data to the computer (for the user the visible change is a different ending of the file XLS instead of CSV, or the possibility to open a file in another application than before, while the content itself remains relatively similar). Whereas, for the computer, the entire structure of the file changes.

All data used by computers is encoded in many different ways. Nearly every application that we use every day has its own file format in which it stores the processed data. To use the same data in another program, or at another operating system we must perform the conversion (in this case from the CSV file to XLS). Even the files with the same extension (CSV) created by different versions of the application (newer or older ones) may have different data structures. Even a change of bits from one format to another (for the potential use of new features, or interoperability) is a data conversion.

How to perform a conversion?
Conversions may have a different level of difficulty of their performance - from simple ones, such as changing the character encoding in the text file to complex and complicated such as converting audio files or graphics (in the case of the CSV and XLS files we are dealing with a more complex conversion).

To perform this type of conversion, we usually need specialized software. It may happen that it will be required to go through the intermediate processes or "export" and "import" data operations. Download one of the programs whose names you will find on our list. If you manage to perform direct conversion of data from the CSV file to XLS, the problem will be solved. However, if not, you can try to find the path of dealing with the conversion to an intermediate format.

Conversion through the intermediate format
To explain what is the conversion through the intermediate format, let us take the following example:
You have a file in the format CSV that you want to convert to another format, which for convenience we will denote .NEW.

• If you have not found a program that will perform direct conversion, check what conversions for the CSV file are available. One of them is definitely the conversion from CSV to XLS.
• Now check to what formats you can convert the XLS file. Perhaps you will find the .NEW format that you are looking form.
• At this point, while converting first the CSV file to XLS, then XLS to .NEW, your file will have the structure you want.

There are many possibilities and combinations that can be checked every them in detail. Always the simplest solution is the direct conversion CSV to XLS, but it is not possible in every case. Then you need to look for the best solution. Also, remember to always make a backup copy of the CSV file that you are converting. You never know if every operation will go smoothly and whether the CSV file will not be corrupt. It is good to protect oneself against such a situation.