2 Effective Methods to Convert Older Excel File to New Format

In older formats of Excel workbooks, you cannot use some new features. Thus, here we provide two effective methods to convert the file formats.

If the format of a file is an older version, you cannot use the new features in newer version of Excel application. However, new features can save you a lot of time and energy. Therefore, in order to use the newer features, you need to convert file formats. And below are two different methods to save Excel workbooks as newer file formats.

Method 1: Use the Convert Feature

If the current file that you are editing is an older version, you will see the “Compatibility Mode” in the header near the file name. And below are the steps of the first method.

1. Click the tab “File” in the ribbon.
2. And then you will see the button “Convert” in the backstage of Excel. Now click this button.
3. Next you will see this information like the screenshot shows below:

When you convert this workbook, the original workbook will be deleted from the computer. Therefore, if you want to keep the original workbook, here you should click the button “Cancel”. And then you need to backup this file. Next you can continue the conversion process.

4. Now in the window, check the option “Do not ask me again about converting workbooks” according to your need.
5. If you want to know more information about this process, you can click the button “Tell Me More” in this dialog. And then you will see the “Excel Help” window.
6. Next, click the button “OK”.
7. And then you will see a piece of new information. It shows that you have converted the file format successfully. And now click the button “Yes” in this window.

Immediately the Excel workbook will reopen quickly. And now, there will be no “Compatibility Mode” in the header. It means that the current file is the new file format in Excel.

Method 2: Save As Newer Formats

Here we will introduce the second method.

1. Click the tab “File” in the ribbon.
2. And then click the option “Save As”.
3. In the “Save As” window, choose the path and set the file name if you need.
4. And then choose the format “Excel Workbook” for the “Save as type”.
5. After that, click the button “Save”. Thus, the file with the new format will be saved in the designated path. And here the original workbook will still leave in your computer.

A Comparison between the Two Methods

Comparison	Use the Convert Feature	Save As Newer Formats
Advantage	Excel will automatically choose the file format for you through this feature.	The original file will still stay in your computer. And you don’t need to back up.
Disadvantage	This feature will delete your original file. Thus, you need to back up for your original workbook.	You need to choose the file format manually when save the file.

Hence, the next time if you need to convert old file format to new file format, you can choose one of the methods according to your need.

Data Disaster is Certain to Happen

Where there is data, there is a data disaster. Thus, almost everyone has meet with data disaster. And don’t be panic if you meet with data disaster. There are many methods that you can do to avoid the loss in a data disaster. Among all the methods, using a recovery tool is the most effective way. This tool can repair Excel data easily. You can get your lost data and information in a quick time.

Author Introduction:

Anna Ma is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including repair docx document corruption and outlook repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com