How to convert macro-enabled .xlsm files to safe .xlsx for archive storage
- Step 1Upload the .xlsm file to archive — Drop the macro-enabled workbook. JSZip reads it as a ZIP archive — no macro code runs.
- Step 2Strip the VBA project — xl/vbaProject.bin and its relationship reference are removed. The output is a clean .xlsx.
- Step 3Store the .xlsx in your archive — The output file meets .xlsx-only archiving policies. Macro warnings will not appear on future access.
Frequently asked questions
Is .xlsx an accepted long-term archiving format?+
ISO/IEC 29500 (OOXML) .xlsx is widely accepted. For maximum archival longevity, some organisations prefer ODF (.ods). Convert via LibreOffice after macro stripping if needed.
Will removing macros break the workbook's intended functionality?+
Any functionality driven by VBA will no longer work. For archiving purposes this is acceptable — the data record is preserved even if the automated behaviour is not.
Does it handle .xlam (Excel add-in) files too?+
The same VBA removal technique works on .xlam files. Upload the .xlam and the macro binary is stripped.
Privacy first
Every JAD Excel tool runs entirely in your browser using SheetJS and ExcelJS. Your spreadsheets, formulas, and data never leave your device — verified by zero outbound network requests during processing.