Open Excel files in Google Sheets & save as .xlsx

You can open, edit and share Excel files in Google Sheets without installing Excel. When you are done, download any spreadsheet as an Excel file.

Open an Excel file

Upload the file to Google Drive first. See upload files to Google Drive if you need help.

1. In Google Drive, double-click the Excel file.
2. It opens in Google Sheets with a .XLSX badge next to the name. This means it is still an Excel file.
3. Edit it as normal. Changes are saved in Excel format.

Convert an Excel file to Google Sheets

Converting creates a separate Google Sheets copy and leaves the original Excel file as it is.

1. Open the Excel file in Google Sheets.
2. Click File > Save as Google Sheets.
3. Google Sheets makes a copy in Google Sheets format and opens it. Work in this copy from now on.

Some things do not carry over. Macros do not run, links to other Excel workbooks stop working, and Excel’s locked or hidden cells become editable.

Import data into a spreadsheet

Use Import to bring an Excel or CSV file into a spreadsheet you already have, for example a bank statement or a sales export.

1. Open the Google Sheet you want the data in.
2. Click File > Import, then upload or choose the file.
3. Choose where the data goes:
   • Create new spreadsheet
   • Insert new sheets
   • Replace spreadsheet
   • Replace current sheet
   • Append rows to current sheet
   • Replace data starting at selected cell
4. For a CSV or text file, leave Separator character on Detect automatically unless the columns come out wrong.
5. Click Import.

Download as Excel

Download a copy when someone needs the file in Excel.

1. Open the spreadsheet.
2. Click File > Download.
3. Choose Microsoft Excel (.xlsx). You can also choose PDF (.pdf) or Comma Separated Values (.csv).

The file downloads to your computer. The copy in Drive does not change.

Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at +60 16-916 3324.

Common issues

My Excel macros do not work. Why?

Google Sheets does not run Excel macros (VBA). Keep using Excel for files that depend on macros, or ask your IT person to rebuild the macro in Google Apps Script.

The locked cells in my Excel file can be edited in Sheets. Why?

Excel's sheet and workbook protection does not carry over. After converting, set up protection again with Data > Protect sheets and ranges. See protect cells in Google Sheets.

Should I keep the file as Excel or convert it?

Keep it as Excel if you send it back and forth with people who use Excel. Convert it if your team will work on it in Google Sheets, because protected ranges, Gemini and some other features only work on Google Sheets files.

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