CSV to Excel (97-2003) Converter
Convert CSV to Excel (97-2003) online for free: nothing to install, no watermark, files encrypted in transit and deleted automatically after conversion.
Drag & drop your CSV file here, or
How to convert CSV to Excel (97-2003) in 3 steps
- 1
Upload your CSV file
Drag and drop or select the CSV file you want to convert.
- 2
Choose Excel (97-2003) as output
The output format is pre-selected for you — just confirm and start the conversion.
- 3
Download your file
Once processing finishes, download your converted Excel (97-2003) file instantly.
CSV vs Excel (97-2003): what is the difference?
| CSV | Excel (97-2003) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Comma-Separated Values | Excel Binary File Format |
| Type | Spreadsheet / data | Spreadsheet / data |
| Compression | None | None |
| Developed by | IETF (RFC 4180) | Microsoft |
| File extension | .csv | .xls |
What is CSV?
CSV stores table data as plain text, one row per line with values separated by commas. Every spreadsheet, database and programming language reads it, which makes it ideal for importing and exporting data, but it keeps no formulas, formatting or multiple sheets.
What is Excel (97-2003)?
XLS is the binary format of Microsoft Excel 97–2003. It is limited to 65,536 rows and 256 columns per sheet and has been replaced by XLSX, though some older systems and accounting tools still export it.
Tips for converting CSV to Excel (97-2003)
- Fonts that are not installed on our servers are replaced with similar ones, so check the layout of the converted file.
- Scanned documents are images: converting a scanned CSV will not make its text editable (that requires OCR).
- Complex layouts, macros and embedded objects may not survive every conversion; review the Excel (97-2003) before sharing it.
- Password-protected files cannot be converted — remove the password first.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert CSV to Excel (97-2003) online?
- Upload your CSV file above, select Excel (97-2003) as the output format, and click Convert. ConvertFastHub processes the file in the cloud and gives you a download link — no software installation required.
- Is it free to convert CSV to Excel (97-2003)?
- Yes. Free accounts get 10 conversions every 24 hours with files up to 50MB. For unlimited conversions, larger files up to 1.5GB, and priority processing, upgrade to ConvertFastHub Pro.
- Is my file safe when I convert it?
- Files travel over an encrypted connection, are scanned automatically for malware (files up to 200 MB), are processed in an isolated worker and are deleted automatically: after 1 hour without an account, 24 hours with a free account, or 7 days with Pro.
- Can I convert CSV to Excel (97-2003) on my phone?
- Yes. The converter runs in the browser and the work happens on our servers, so it works the same on Android, iPhone, tablets and computers — there is no app to install.
- Do I need an account?
- No. You can convert without signing up; results are then kept for 1 hour. A free account keeps them for 24 hours and shows your conversion history.