How do I open or convert a Microsoft Works .XLR spreadsheet to an Excel compatible format?

Question

I have been sent a Microsoft Works XLR spreadsheet and Excel will not open it.

• Is there any way of opening an XLR file directly in Excel?
• Can anyone recommend a (free) tool for converting to an Excel compatible format, ideally XLS?
• Can any other spreadsheet apps (e.g., OpenOffice, Google Spreadsheets) open XLR?

Answer 1

Try to change the file's extension from xlr to xls.
This method used to work fine in the past.

Answer 2

Sometimes the standalone Excel viewer will open xlr files that Excel cannot, if viewing the spreadsheet is helpful to you.

Otherwise, the only option that I am aware of is to open the file in Works and Export it as an old type of Excel file that Excel will open.

Here is a rather dated page on Microsoft's site giving the formats to use.

Answer 3

Changing .xlr to .xls extension didn't work for me – it complained about file corruption.

You're maybe trying to open it by double clicking it. Don't bother with conversion software just run Microsoft Excel and then select File > Open.

Then browse for the .xlr file (you may need to set file types to 'All' to view the .xlr for selection) and click Open.

The .xlr file will then open in Microsoft Excel. Then simply select File > Save As… using the desired file type (e.g. .xls, .xlsx).

I've just tried this myself and it works fine (office 2010).