Convert Excel97 to Fixed Width Online
Use our free online tool to convert your Excel 97-2003 (.xls) data to Fixed Width/Fixed Length quickly
Excel 97-2003 (.xls)
Excel 97-2003 file refers to the file format used by Microsoft Excel versions from 1997 to 2003, typically having the .xls extension. This format is a binary file format known as BIFF (Binary Interchange File Format) and was the standard for Excel spreadsheets before the introduction of the newer format in Excel 2007. This version of Excel support 65,536 rows and 256 columns per sheet, as well as various formatting options, formulas, charts, pivot tables, and conditional formatting. This older format included password protection and encryption which has since been improved in the newer version. The Excel 97-2003 .xls remains in uses in environments where legacy systems are in operation or where compatibility with older versions of Excel is necessary.
Fixed Width/Fixed Length
A fixed width (or fixed length) file is a text data file in which each field in a record is allocated a specific number of characters, regardless of the actual content length. This consistent column width ensures that data aligns in columns across rows, making the file appear like a table when viewed in a plain text editor. If a field's content does not fill the entire width, it's padded with spaces or other placeholder characters. Fixed width files are often used in legacy systems, mainframes, and financial data processing systems.