LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert
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 Comparison
| 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 |
Why CloudConvert Can't Preserve Macros
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.
The Security Consideration
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:
- Client financial data or personally identifiable information
- Proprietary pricing models or business logic in VBA
- Employee records or HR data
- Anything subject to HIPAA, SOC 2, or financial regulations
Uploading to a third-party server creates compliance exposure. LegacyLeaps processes everything locally. No network calls, no server uploads, no data retention questions.
When CloudConvert Is the Right Tool
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.
See what CloudConvert would strip out
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.