How to open an XLS file on Android: TOP 7 applications and step-by-step guide

Format XLS is an outdated but still common file type Microsoft Excelwhich is often found in business correspondence, reports or archived data. If you receive such a file by email or via messenger, but you can’t view it on your smartphone, don’t rush to look for a computer. Modern Android devices can easily cope with .xls with the help of specialized applications.

However, not all apps are equally useful: some open files read-only, others allow you to edit tables with formulas, and others even require a subscription. In this article we will look at 7 proven ways open XLS on Android —from built-in tools to professional editors. You will learn which application to choose depending on the task (viewing, printing, collaboration) and how to avoid common mistakes when working with tables.

⚠️ Attention: If the file .xls contains macros or complex formulas, some mobile applications can display them incorrect. In such cases, it is better to use Microsoft Excel on a PC or the web version via a browser.

1. Built-in Android tools: is it possible to do without third-party applications?

Many users do not know that some smartphones on Android can open .xls "out of the box" - without installing additional software. This works if:

• 📱 The device has Google Drive or Files by Google (pre-installed on most phones).
• 📄 The file has a simple structure (no macros, pivot tables or complex formulas).
• 🔄 You have a stable Internet connection (for online viewing).

To try this method:

1. Download the file .xls to your device (for example, from an email or messenger).
2. Open Files by Google (or any file manager).
3. Find the downloaded file and tap on it.
4. In the window that appears, select Open with → Google Sheets.

⚠️ Attention: The built-in viewer from Google converts .xls to .gsheet (Google Sheets format), which may lead to loss of some formatting. For critical documents, it is better to use specialized applications.

2. TOP 3 free applications for opening XLS on Android

If the built-in tools fail, it’s time to install specialized software. We tested dozens of apps and selected 3 best free options with support .xls:

Application	XLS support	Editing	Cloud synchronization	Advertising
WPS Office	✅ Full	✅ Yes (with restrictions)	✅ Google Drive, Dropbox	❌ No (in the free version)
Google Sheets	✅ Partial (conversion)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Google Drive)	❌ No
OfficeSuite	✅ Full	✅ Yes (premium features are paid)	✅ Yes	⚠️ There are banners

WPS Office —the leader among free solutions. The application not only opens .xlsbut also preserves the original formatting, supports simple formulas, and even offers templates for creating new tables. Disadvantage: in the free version, some functions (for example, export to PDF) require viewing advertising.

Google Sheets are convenient for collaboration, but remember: the file is first converted to the format Google Sheets. This may distort complex diagrams or rare functions Excel. But synchronization with the cloud works flawlessly.

OfficeSuite is the golden mean. The interface is similar to the classic Microsoft Office, but some functions (for example, working with macros) are available only in the paid version. The free functionality is enough for 90% of tasks.

3. Paid solutions: when is it worth paying for an XLS editor?

If you regularly work with spreadsheets—especially formulas, summary reports, or enterprise templates—free apps can be frustrating. In such cases, it makes sense to consider paid analogues:

• 💼 Microsoft Excel (from 70 ₽/month) - full compatibility with .xls, cloud storage OneDrive, macro support (on some devices).
• 📊 Polaris Office (from 300 ₽/year) - optimized for mobile devices, user-friendly touchscreen interface.
• 🔒 OnlyOffice (from 200 ₽/month) - the best choice for team work with support for history of changes.

Important: Paid versions Microsoft Excel i OnlyOffice allow you to open files .xls with macros, but on Android this function is unstable. For critical documents, use the desktop version.

💡 Tip: Before purchasing a subscription, check whether the application offers free trial period. For example, Microsoft 365 gives 1 month of trial access - this is enough to evaluate all the functions.

What is the difference between XLS and XLSX?

XLS format used in Excel 97-2003 and has a row limit of 65,536. XLSX is a modern format (Excel 2007 and later) with support for up to 1,048,576 rows and better protection against corruption. Most mobile apps work better with XLSX, but XLS is still found in older databases or accounting reports.

4. How to convert XLS to a more modern format?

If the file .xls opens with errors, you can convert it to .xlsx or .csv. You can do this directly on your phone:

1. Open the file in any of the listed applications (for example, WPS Office).
2. Tap on the icon ⋮ (three dots) or File in the top menu.
3. Select Save as or Export.
4. Specify format .xlsx (recommended) or .csv (for simple tables).
5. Save the new file to the device memory or the cloud.

⚠️ Attention: When converting to .csv the following are lost:

• 📉 Charts and graphs
• 🔢 Formulas (only total values are saved)
• 🎨 Color formatting of cells

If the conversion does not help, try opening the file on your PC and saving it in a modern format. Even the free version is suitable for this LibreOffice.

5. Common errors when opening XLS on Android and how to fix them

Even with the right application, the file .xls may not open. Let's look at typical problems and solutions:

Error	Possible cause	Solution
The file is damaged	Incomplete download or virus	Reload the file and check with an antivirus
Unsupported format	The file is saved in a rare encoding	Open on a PC and save in .xlsx
The table is displayed crookedly	Complex formatting or macros	Use Microsoft Excel or OnlyOffice
The application crashes	Lack of RAM	Close background apps and restart phone

If the file still does not open, try the following:

1. Check the extension: sometimes files are disguised as .xls, but actually have a different format (for example, .xlsm with macros).
2. Send the file by email and open via the web version Google Table (drive.google.com).
3. Install an alternative application (for example, if WPS Office did not work, try OfficeSuite).

6. Alternative methods: cloud services and remote access

If you don’t want to install applications, you can open .xls via a browser:

• 🌐 Google Sheets (tables.google.com) - download the file from your phone and edit online.
• 🖥️ OneDrive + Excel Online —if you have an account Microsoftupload the file to OneDrive and open in the web version Excel.
• 🔗 Zoho Sheet —free online editor with support .xls and shared access.

Suitable for corporate users remote access to a PC via:

• 💻 TeamViewer or AnyDesk - connect to your computer and open the file in full Excel.
• 🖥️ Chrome Remote Desktop —if installed on your PC Microsoft Office.

⚠️ Attention: When using cloud services, the file is temporarily uploaded to third-party servers. Do not upload documents with personal data (passports, financial reports) to unverified services.

7. security: how not to catch a virus via XLS?

Files .xls may contain malicious macros or hidden scripts. To protect yourself:

• 🛡️ Install antivirus (for example Dr.Web or Kaspersky) and check all downloaded files.
• 🚫 Do not open .xls from unverified sources (especially if the file came from an unknown sender).
• 🔍 Look before opening file properties: if the size is suspiciously small (for example, 10 KB with the stated “data for a year”), it may be a virus.
• 🔄 Use sandbox (for example Sandboxie for Android) to open suspicious files.

If after opening .xls the phone starts to slow down or show strange ads:

1. Delete the file immediately.
2. Clear the cache of the application that was used to open the document.
3. Carry out a full scan with your antivirus.
4. If the problem persists, reset your phone to factory settings (after saving important data).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to open XLS on Android without the Internet?

Yes, if you use offline applications like WPS Office or OfficeSuite. Download the file in advance and open it offline. However, some functions (for example, cloud synchronization) will not work.

Why are there crappy characters in the file instead of letters?

This is an encoding problem. Try:

1. Open the file on LibreOffice PC and save with the correct encoding (UTF-8).
2. Use the application Notepad++ (via remote access) to manually correct the encoding.
3. Resave the file in .csv and open it in Google Sheets.

Which application is best for large XLS files (more than 50 MB)?

For working with large tables, we recommend:

• Microsoft Excel — optimized for large files, but requires a subscription.
• OnlyOffice — copes well with heavy tables, there is a free version with limitations.
• WPS Office —lighter than Excel, but may slow down when opening files larger than 100 MB.

If the file is too large, split it into several parts on your PC before transferring it to your phone.

Is it possible to edit XLS on Android and save formulas?

Yes, but not all applications support this equally well:

• Microsoft Excel — full support for formulas (including VLOOKUP, SUM).
• WPS Office —basic formulas work, but complex ones can be displayed incorrect.
• Google Sheets — converts formulas into its own syntax, which sometimes leads to errors.

For critical calculations, check the results on your PC.

How to print an XLS file from phone?

Instructions:

1. Open the file in any editor (for example, WPS Office).
2. Tap on the printer icon or select File → Print.
3. Adjust settings (orientation, scale, page range).
4. Select a printer (local or cloud, for example Google Cloud Print).
5. Confirm printing.

If there is no printer, save the file as PDF and print later from your computer.