Convert ORG to XLSX

Why Convert ORG to XLSX?

Converting Org-mode documents to XLSX format is essential when you need to share tabular data with colleagues who use Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications. While Org-mode tables are powerful within Emacs, XLSX provides universal business compatibility.

Excel is the global standard for spreadsheet work in business environments. Converting your Org-mode tables to XLSX ensures your data can be opened, edited, and analyzed by anyone using Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, or Apple Numbers without any special software.

The conversion is particularly valuable for data that needs further analysis, visualization, or reporting. Excel's rich charting capabilities, pivot tables, and formatting options allow you to create professional presentations from your Org-mode data.

XLSX also enables collaboration with team members who aren't familiar with Org-mode. Rather than explaining plain text table syntax, you can share familiar spreadsheet files that anyone can work with immediately.

Key Benefits of Converting ORG to XLSX:

• Universal Access: Opens in Excel, Sheets, LibreOffice
• Business Standard: Industry-standard spreadsheet format
• Rich Formatting: Colors, fonts, borders, styles
• Charts: Create visualizations from data
• Formula Support: Excel formula compatibility
• Multiple Sheets: Organize data across worksheets
• Cloud Ready: Works with Office 365, Google Sheets

Practical Examples

Example 1: Sales Report

Input ORG file (sales.org):

#+TITLE: Q4 Sales Report

* Regional Sales Data

| Region     | October | November | December | Total   |
|------------+---------+----------+----------+---------|
| North      |   45000 |    52000 |    68000 |  165000 |
| South      |   38000 |    42000 |    55000 |  135000 |
| East       |   51000 |    58000 |    72000 |  181000 |
| West       |   42000 |    48000 |    61000 |  151000 |
|------------+---------+----------+----------+---------|
| Total      |  176000 |   200000 |   256000 |  632000 |
#+TBLFM: $5=$2+$3+$4::@6$2=vsum(@2..@5)::@6$3=vsum(@2..@5)
#+TBLFM: @6$4=vsum(@2..@5)::@6$5=vsum(@2..@5)

Output XLSX file (sales.xlsx):

Excel Spreadsheet with:
- Header row formatted (bold, centered)
- Data cells with number formatting
- Total column with SUM formulas: =SUM(B2:D2)
- Total row with SUM formulas: =SUM(B2:B5)
- Currency formatting applied
- Auto-fit column widths
- Table style applied

Example 2: Project Tracking

Input ORG file (projects.org):

* Project Status

| Project    | Owner   | Start Date | Due Date   | Status      | Progress |
|------------+---------+------------+------------+-------------+----------|
| Website    | Alice   | 2024-01-15 | 2024-03-01 | In Progress |      65% |
| Mobile App | Bob     | 2024-02-01 | 2024-04-15 | On Track    |      40% |
| API v2     | Carol   | 2024-01-01 | 2024-02-28 | At Risk     |      80% |
| Dashboard  | David   | 2024-02-15 | 2024-05-01 | Planning    |      10% |

Output XLSX file (projects.xlsx):

Excel Spreadsheet with:
- Date columns formatted as dates
- Progress column as percentage
- Conditional formatting on Status:
  - "On Track" = Green
  - "In Progress" = Yellow
  - "At Risk" = Red
  - "Planning" = Blue
- Filter enabled on all columns
- Freeze panes on header row

Example 3: Budget Data

Input ORG file (budget.org):

* Department Budget

| Category      | Budget   | Actual   | Variance |
|---------------+----------+----------+----------|
| Personnel     | 150000   | 145000   |     5000 |
| Equipment     |  25000   |  28000   |    -3000 |
| Software      |  15000   |  12000   |     3000 |
| Travel        |  10000   |  11500   |    -1500 |
| Training      |   8000   |   6500   |     1500 |
|---------------+----------+----------+----------|
| Total         | 208000   | 203000   |     5000 |
#+TBLFM: $4=$2-$3::@7$2=vsum(@2..@6)::@7$3=vsum(@2..@6)::@7$4=vsum(@2..@6)

Output XLSX file (budget.xlsx):

Excel Spreadsheet with:
- Currency formatting ($) on money columns
- Variance column formulas: =B2-C2
- Negative values in red (parentheses)
- Positive values in green
- Total row with SUM formulas
- Border styles on data range
- Print area defined

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is XLSX format?

A: XLSX is Microsoft Excel's modern spreadsheet format, introduced in Office 2007. It's based on the Open XML standard and stores data as compressed XML files. XLSX is the industry standard for spreadsheets and is supported by all major office applications.

Q: Are Org-mode formulas converted to Excel formulas?

A: Basic Org-mode table formulas (#+TBLFM) can be converted to equivalent Excel formulas. Simple calculations like sums, averages, and basic arithmetic are translated. However, complex Emacs Lisp expressions in formulas may not have direct Excel equivalents and will show calculated values instead.

Q: What about multiple tables in one Org file?

A: Each table in your Org file can be placed on a separate worksheet in the Excel file, or combined into one sheet with spacing. The converter preserves all tables from your document.

Q: Will formatting be preserved?

A: Org-mode tables are plain text without styling. The converted Excel file will have basic formatting applied (headers bold, borders added). You can then enhance the formatting in Excel as needed.

Q: Can I open the file in Google Sheets?

A: Yes! Google Sheets fully supports XLSX files. You can upload the converted file directly to Google Drive and it will open in Sheets. Most formatting and formulas are preserved.

Q: What happens to non-table content?

A: XLSX is designed for tabular data. Non-table content like headings, paragraphs, and code blocks may be placed in cells as text or omitted depending on the conversion settings. The primary focus is on table data.

Q: Can I convert XLSX back to Org-mode?

A: Yes, you can convert Excel files back to Org-mode tables. However, complex Excel features like charts, pivot tables, and conditional formatting won't have Org equivalents. The basic tabular data and simple formulas can be converted.

Q: Is there a file size limit?

A: The converter handles typical Org-mode files without issues. Very large tables (thousands of rows) will convert but may take longer. For extremely large datasets, consider splitting across multiple files or using CSV for intermediate processing.