CloudConvert is a great tool for converting images, audio, and documents. But if your .xls file has VBA macros, it will strip them silently — and your files will be uploaded to their servers first.
| Feature | LegacyLeaps | CloudConvert |
|---|---|---|
| VBA macro preservation | Yes — all modules preserved | No — VBA silently deleted |
| ActiveX control support | Yes | No |
| Access .mdb to .accdb | Yes | Not supported |
| Files stay on your machine | Yes — desktop app | No — cloud upload required |
| File size limit | No limit | 1 GB (business plan) |
| Pre-conversion scan report | Yes — free | No |
| PtrSafe VBA fixes | Automated | No |
| Works offline | Yes | No |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | No |
| Pricing model | Pay per file converted | Minutes-based credits |
CloudConvert works by processing files on their servers using LibreOffice and other open-source conversion engines. LibreOffice can read the data from .xls files, but VBA is a proprietary Microsoft format that LibreOffice doesn't fully support. When the file is converted, the VBA project simply isn't included in the output.
This isn't a bug — it's a fundamental limitation of how cloud-based conversion tools work. They're designed for document format conversion, not application migration. Your Excel workbooks with macros aren't just documents; they're applications with embedded code that requires a Windows-native conversion process to preserve.
CloudConvert requires your files to leave your machine. For .xls files containing routine data — spreadsheet reports, simple calculations — that may be acceptable. For .xls files containing:
Uploading to a third-party server creates compliance exposure. LegacyLeaps processes everything locally. No network calls, no server uploads, no data retention questions.
CloudConvert excels at what it was built for: quick format conversions for common file types. If you need to convert a Word document to PDF, compress an image, or convert audio between formats, it's excellent.
For .xls files with no macros, no sensitive data, and no Access databases — CloudConvert will convert them to .xlsx reliably and quickly. Use it in those cases.
For anything involving VBA code, Access databases, sensitive data, or files over 1 GB: LegacyLeaps.
Run LegacyLeaps's free scan and get a report showing every VBA module, every ActiveX control, and every macro in your files — before converting anything.