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How to open XLS file in proper format using mac numbers?

I am using mac numbers to open an xls file but all I see is html tags when I open the file. Refer to screenshot attached.

How do I fix this?


MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 26, 2020 11:02 PM

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Posted on Jan 27, 2020 2:37 AM

That .xls file contains HTML syntax, so it is not a proper spreadsheet, but something someone changed the .html extension to .xls in belief it would convert the HTML table to Excel format. You probably would have better luck making a copy of it, and renaming that extension back to .html — then opening it in a browser.


Here is a Quick Look of an HTML table, where the extension was renamed to .xls. Not only does the original HTML present as it would in a browser, but that table is scrollable too. If I force open it in Numbers, the HTML syntax spews in the spreadsheet.



However, if this table is presented in a browser, I can select what is visible, and using Paste and Match Style starting with the selected cell A1 in a Numbers spreadsheet, deposit the selection in rows and columns of the spreadsheet as if typed in it.

3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 27, 2020 2:37 AM in response to chiragojha

That .xls file contains HTML syntax, so it is not a proper spreadsheet, but something someone changed the .html extension to .xls in belief it would convert the HTML table to Excel format. You probably would have better luck making a copy of it, and renaming that extension back to .html — then opening it in a browser.


Here is a Quick Look of an HTML table, where the extension was renamed to .xls. Not only does the original HTML present as it would in a browser, but that table is scrollable too. If I force open it in Numbers, the HTML syntax spews in the spreadsheet.



However, if this table is presented in a browser, I can select what is visible, and using Paste and Match Style starting with the selected cell A1 in a Numbers spreadsheet, deposit the selection in rows and columns of the spreadsheet as if typed in it.

How to open XLS file in proper format using mac numbers?

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