Import XLSB data and restore number formats

Learn exactly what the data importer retains, why cached formula results matter, and how to save a converted workbook.

Applies to Grid 0.7.0 on doc.et.

What the importer reads#

Open an .xlsb file with File → Open, drag it onto GridCraft. GridCraft imports worksheet data into a new workbook and shows the conversion limits.

The import reads worksheet names, visibility, numbers, text, booleans, errors and merged cells. Formula cells become their last saved results, not live formulas. Those results may be out of date if the source application did not recalculate before saving.

Source formatting is omitted: dates, times, percentages and currencies initially display as their underlying numbers. The workbook's date system is retained. Charts, images, names, macros and other workbook features are not imported. GridCraft does not write XLSB files.

Save opens Save As and suggests a new .xlsx file. The source XLSB file is not used as the workbook's save destination; requests to save to .xlsb return an error.

Prepare the source workbook#

Recalculate the workbook in its originating application and save it before importing. This is especially important for workbooks with formulas, because the importer uses their last saved results. A displayed number can therefore be valid as imported data while no longer updating when an input changes.

Check and rebuild#

1. Compare sheet names, merged cells and a few representative totals against the source.
2. Identify cells that used to contain formulas; rebuild the formulas you need to keep calculating.
3. Reapply number formats and visual formatting where necessary.
4. Save the converted workbook as a new XLSX download and keep the original file.

Decide whether this conversion fits your task#

Use data import when you need to recover or work with sheet values. If preserving a complete workbook model is essential, make an XLSX export in the originating application and inspect that result as another route. Neither route should be assumed to preserve every feature without checking.

Continue reading

• Open, save and organise workbooks →
• Format cells and highlight important values →