Safest Way to Convert Hundreds of *.xls to *.ods

bro67 said:

You need \\ after c: or it is not going to work.

Thank you, bro67...here's the same result:

C:\Fiddle>for %%f in (*.xls) do "c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%%f"
%%f was unexpected at this time.

C:\Fiddle>

Again, the bold red text was the error message I received. So, I'm again stymied. Got another idea?

bro67 said:

Try it with cmd.exe as admin. See method 3: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/off...rmats-in-excel. Make Sure that Libre Office is closed and that you are using the correct path for Libre Office and the .exe. convert-to command line parameter - Ask LibreOffice

You can also convert individual at Convert Files - Free XLS to ODS converter. Free online document converter.
XLS to ODS Converter to Convert Excel to OpenOffice Spreadsheet ODS

This error message
%%f was unexpected at this time
tell me that something's wrong with the line of code we've been considering.

The same error message happens with cmd.exe as admin and with Elevated Command icon pinned to task bar.

sbh7600 said:

@Florida Rene, try replacing

Code:

%%f

with

Code:

%f

Thank you. I tried. Didn't convert the files to ods. Did convert some (not even half) of the files to xlsx. Here's the result:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.18362.295]
(c) 2019 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Pc>cd\

C:\>cd fiddle

C:\Fiddle>for %f in (*.xls) do "c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%%f"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-03-25.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-03-26.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-03-30.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-04-01.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-04-15.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-04-16.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-04-18.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-04-25.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-04-26.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-04-30.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-05-02.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-05-05.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%- S FDDW Checking 2013-05-09.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2013 FDDW P&L 2013-10-31 - 92.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2013 FDDW P&L 2013-11-09 - 91.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2015 FDDW - YTD - 2015-06-30.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2015 FDDW - YTD - 2015-09-30 VFW Note.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2015 FDDW - YTD - 2015-11-30.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2015 FDDW - YTD - 2015-12-31.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2015 HP Schedule (1).xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2015 HP Schedule.xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2016 FDDW - YTD - 2016-05-18.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%2016 FDDW - YTD - 2016-10-26.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%Calendar HP Spring 2014.xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%chasedeco&decojanuary2013pricelist.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%Fall2013PriceListExcelWholesale.xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%FDDW - YTD - FORM.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%FDDW Sales Per Client 2014-2016 E.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%FDDW VENDOR Phones & Faxes 2014-09-16.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%FDDW VENDOR Phones & Faxes 2016-11-29.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%revise return (1).xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%revise return.xls"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%STOCK ON HAND SEPT 13 2012 (1).xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%STOCK ON HAND SEPT 13 2012 (2).xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%STOCK ON HAND SEPT 13 2012 (3).xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>"c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%STOCK ON HAND SEPT 13 2012.xlsx"

C:\Fiddle>

sbh7600 said:

did you replace both

Code:

%%f

with

Code:

%f

No...but following your post above, I did...and this was the result:

C:\Fiddle>for %f in (*.xls) do "c:\\Program Files\libreoffice\program\soffice.exe" --convert-to ods "%f"
Using without special arguments:
Opens the start center, if it is used without any arguments.
{file} Tries to open the file (files) in the components
suitable for them.
{file} {macro:///Library.Module.MacroName}
Opens the file and runs specified macros from
the file.

Getting help and information:
--help | -h | -? Shows this help and quits.
--helpwriter Opens built-in or online Help on Writer.
--helpcalc Opens built-in or online Help on Calc.
--helpdraw Opens built-in or online Help on Draw.
--helpimpress Opens built-in or online Help on Impress.
--helpbase Opens built-in or online Help on Base.
--helpbasic Opens built-in or online Help on Basic scripting
language.
--helpmath Opens built-in or online Help on Math.
--version Shows the version and quits.
--nstemporarydirectory
(MacOS X sandbox only) Returns path of the temporary
directory for the current user and exits. Overrides
all other arguments.

General arguments:
--quickstart[=no] Activates[Deactivates] the Quickstarter service.
--nolockcheck Disables check for remote instances using one
installation.
--infilter={filter} Force an input filter type if possible. For example:
--infilter="Calc Office Open XML"
--infilter="Text (encoded):UTF8,LF,,,"
--pidfile={file} Store soffice.bin pid to {file}.
--display {display} Sets the DISPLAY environment variable on UNIX-like
platforms to the value {display} (only supported by a
start script).

User/programmatic interface control:
--nologo Disables the splash screen at program start.
--minimized Starts minimized. The splash screen is not displayed.
--nodefault Starts without displaying anything except the splash
screen (do not display initial window).
--invisible Starts in invisible mode. Neither the start-up logo nor
the initial program window will be visible. Application
can be controlled, and documents and dialogs can be
controlled and opened via the API. Using the parameter,
the process can only be ended using the taskmanager
(Windows) or the kill command (UNIX-like systems). It
cannot be used in conjunction with --quickstart.
--headless Starts in "headless mode" which allows using the
application without GUI. This special mode can be used
when the application is controlled by external clients
via the API.
--norestore Disables restart and file recovery after a system crash.
--safe-mode Starts in a safe mode, i.e. starts temporarily with a
fresh user profile and helps to restore a broken
configuration.
--accept={connect-string} Specifies a UNO connect-string to create a UNO
acceptor through which other programs can connect to
access the API. Note that API access allows execution
of arbitrary commands.
The syntax of the {connect-string} is:
connection-type,params;protocol-name,params
e.g. pipe,name={some name};urp
or socket,host=localhost,port=54321;urp
--unaccept={connect-string} Closes an acceptor that was created with
--accept. Use --unaccept=all to close all acceptors.
--language={lang} Uses specified language, if language is not selected
yet for UI. The lang is a tag of the language in IETF
language tag.

Developer arguments:
--terminate_after_init
Exit after initialization complete (no documents loaded).
--eventtesting Exit after loading documents.

New document creation arguments:
The arguments create an empty document of specified kind. Only one of them may
be used in one command line. If filenames are specified after an argument,
then it tries to open those files in the specified component.
--writer Creates an empty Writer document.
--calc Creates an empty Calc document.
--draw Creates an empty Draw document.
--impress Creates an empty Impress document.
--base Creates a new database.
--global Creates an empty Writer master (global) document.
--math Creates an empty Math document (formula).
--web Creates an empty HTML document.

File open arguments:
The arguments define how following filenames are treated. New treatment begins
after the argument and ends at the next argument. The default treatment is to
open documents for editing, and create new documents from document templates.
-n Treats following files as templates for creation of new
documents.
-o Opens following files for editing, regardless whether
they are templates or not.
--pt {Printername} Prints following files to the printer {Printername},
after which those files are closed. The splash screen
does not appear. If used multiple times, only last
{Printername} is effective for all documents of all
--pt runs. Also, --printer-name argument of
--print-to-file switch interferes with {Printername}.
-p Prints following files to the default printer, after
which those files are closed. The splash screen does
not appear. If the file name contains spaces, then it
must be enclosed in quotation marks.
--view Opens following files in viewer mode (read-only).
--show Opens and starts the following presentation documents
of each immediately. Files are closed after the showing.
Files other than Impress documents are opened in
default mode , regardless of previous mode.
--convert-to OutputFileExtension[:OutputFilterName] \
[--outdir output_dir] [--convert-images-to]
Batch convert files (implies --headless). If --outdir
isn't specified, then current working directory is used
as output_dir. If --convert-images-to is given, its
parameter is taken as the target filter format for *all*
images written to the output format. If --convert-to is
used more than once, the last value of OutputFileExtension
[:OutputFilterName] is effective. If --outdir is used more
than once, only its last value is effective. For example:
--convert-to pdf *.odt
--convert-to epub *.doc
--convert-to pdf:writer_pdf_Export --outdir /home/user *.doc
--convert-to "html:XHTML Writer File:UTF8" \
--convert-images-to "jpg" *.doc
--convert-to "txt:Text (encoded):UTF8" *.doc
--print-to-file [--printer-name printer_name] [--outdir output_dir]
Batch print files to file. If --outdir is not specified,
then current working directory is used as output_dir.
If --printer-name or --outdir used multiple times, only
last value of each is effective. Also, {Printername} of
--pt switch interferes with --printer-name.
--cat Dump text content of the following files to console
(implies --headless). Cannot be used with --convert-to.
--script-cat Dump text content of any scripts embedded in the files to console
(implies --headless). Cannot be used with --convert-to.
-env:<VAR>[=<VALUE>] Set a bootstrap variable. For example: to set
a non-default user profile path:
-env:UserInstallation=file:///tmp/test

Ignored switches:
-psn Ignored (MacOS X only).
-Embedding Ignored (COM+ related; Windows only).
--nofirststartwizard Does nothing, accepted only for backward compatibility.
--protector {arg1} {arg2}
Used only in unit tests and should have two arguments.


C:\Fiddle>
LibreOffice 6.2.5.2 1ec314fa52f458adc18c4f025c545a4e8b22c159

Error in option: - S FDDW Checking 2013-04-16.xls

Usage: soffice [argument...]
argument - switches, switch parameters and document URIs (filenames).

Using without special arguments:
Opens the start center, if it is used without any arguments.
{file} Tries to open the file (files) in the components
suitable for them.
{file} {macro:///Library.Module.MacroName}
Opens the file and runs specified macros from
the file.

Getting help and information:
--help | -h | -? Shows this help and quits.
--helpwriter Opens built-in or online Help on Writer.
--helpcalc Opens built-in or online Help on Calc.
--helpdraw Opens built-in or online Help on Draw.
--helpimpress Opens built-in or online Help on Impress.
--helpbase Opens built-in or online Help on Base.
--helpbasic Opens built-in or online Help on Basic scripting
language.
--helpmath Opens built-in or online Help on Math.
--version Shows the version and quits.
--nstemporarydirectory
(MacOS X sandbox only) Returns path of the temporary
directory for the current user and exits. Overrides
all other arguments.

General arguments:
--quickstart[=no] Activates[Deactivates] the Quickstarter service.
--nolockcheck Disables check for remote instances using one
installation.
--infilter={filter} Force an input filter type if possible. For example:
--infilter="Calc Office Open XML"
--infilter="Text (encoded):UTF8,LF,,,"
--pidfile={file} Store soffice.bin pid to {file}.
--display {display} Sets the DISPLAY environment variable on UNIX-like
platforms to the value {display} (only supported by a
start script).

User/programmatic interface control:
--nologo Disables the splash screen at program start.
--minimized Starts minimized. The splash screen is not displayed.
--nodefault Starts without displaying anything except the splash
screen (do not display initial window).
--invisible Starts in invisible mode. Neither the start-up logo nor
the initial program window will be visible. Application
can be controlled, and documents and dialogs can be
controlled and opened via the API. Using the parameter,
the process can only be ended using the taskmanager
(Windows) or the kill command (UNIX-like systems). It
cannot be used in conjunction with --quickstart.
--headless Starts in "headless mode" which allows using the
application without GUI. This special mode can be used
when the application is controlled by external clients
via the API.
--norestore Disables restart and file recovery after a system crash.
--safe-mode Starts in a safe mode, i.e. starts temporarily with a
fresh user profile and helps to restore a broken
configuration.
--accept={connect-string} Specifies a UNO connect-string to create a UNO
acceptor through which other programs can connect to
access the API. Note that API access allows execution
of arbitrary commands.
The syntax of the {connect-string} is:
connection-type,params;protocol-name,params
e.g. pipe,name={some name};urp
or socket,host=localhost,port=54321;urp
--unaccept={connect-string} Closes an acceptor that was created with
--accept. Use --unaccept=all to close all acceptors.
--language={lang} Uses specified language, if language is not selected
yet for UI. The lang is a tag of the language in IETF
language tag.

Developer arguments:
--terminate_after_init
Exit after initialization complete (no documents loaded).
--eventtesting Exit after loading documents.

New document creation arguments:
The arguments create an empty document of specified kind. Only one of them may
be used in one command line. If filenames are specified after an argument,
then it tries to open those files in the specified component.
--writer Creates an empty Writer document.
--calc Creates an empty Calc document.
--draw Creates an empty Draw document.
--impress Creates an empty Impress document.
--base Creates a new database.
--global Creates an empty Writer master (global) document.
--math Creates an empty Math document (formula).
--web Creates an empty HTML document.

File open arguments:
The arguments define how following filenames are treated. New treatment begins
after the argument and ends at the next argument. The default treatment is to
open documents for editing, and create new documents from document templates.
-n Treats following files as templates for creation of new
documents.
-o Opens following files for editing, regardless whether
they are templates or not.
--pt {Printername} Prints following files to the printer {Printername},
after which those files are closed. The splash screen
does not appear. If used multiple times, only last
{Printername} is effective for all documents of all
--pt runs. Also, --printer-name argument of
--print-to-file switch interferes with {Printername}.
-p Prints following files to the default printer, after
which those files are closed. The splash screen does
not appear. If the file name contains spaces, then it
must be enclosed in quotation marks.
--view Opens following files in viewer mode (read-only).
--show Opens and starts the following presentation documents
of each immediately. Files are closed after the showing.
Files other than Impress documents are opened in
default mode , regardless of previous mode.
--convert-to OutputFileExtension[:OutputFilterName] \
[--outdir output_dir] [--convert-images-to]
Batch convert files (implies --headless). If --outdir
isn't specified, then current working directory is used
as output_dir. If --convert-images-to is given, its
parameter is taken as the target filter format for *all*
images written to the output format. If --convert-to is
used more than once, the last value of OutputFileExtension
[:OutputFilterName] is effective. If --outdir is used more
than once, only its last value is effective. For example:
--convert-to pdf *.odt
--convert-to epub *.doc
--convert-to pdf:writer_pdf_Export --outdir /home/user *.doc
--convert-to "html:XHTML Writer File:UTF8" \
--convert-images-to "jpg" *.doc
--convert-to "txt:Text (encoded):UTF8" *.doc
--print-to-file [--printer-name printer_name] [--outdir output_dir]
Batch print files to file. If --outdir is not specified,
then current working directory is used as output_dir.
If --printer-name or --outdir used multiple times, only
last value of each is effective. Also, {Printername} of
--pt switch interferes with --printer-name.
--cat Dump text content of the following files to console
(implies --headless). Cannot be used with --convert-to.
--script-cat Dump text content of any scripts embedded in the files to console
(implies --headless). Cannot be used with --convert-to.
-env:<VAR>[=<VALUE>] Set a bootstrap variable. For example: to set
a non-default user profile path:
-env:UserInstallation=file:///tmp/test

Ignored switches:
-psn Ignored (MacOS X only).
-Embedding Ignored (COM+ related; Windows only).
--nofirststartwizard Does nothing, accepted only for backward compatibility.
--protector {arg1} {arg2}
Used only in unit tests and should have two arguments.


C:\Fiddle>

Berton, bro67, sbh7600...Thank you all for your assistance.

I tried all the above posted suggestions, but either I'm too dumb to accomplish them or my machines refuse to cooperate, so I was stymied. Then I wondered whether the old DOS commands might work.

So I copied all the subject files into an empty directory called Fiddle...and did this:



That renamed the files in Fiddle (I still have the originals in an achived folder). It worked for all *.xls AND *.xlsx files.

I tested a few renamed files in Libre and they all worked fine, including editing and changes I made. The only difference that I found was that when I opened those files in Libre, they had no name...which didn't bother me because I wanted to save them with a new name anyway...which I did, and which worked, including re-opening them.

I thought that posting this old-fashioned solution might be interesting for other posters who may have the same problem in the future.

Again, I very much appreciate your attempts to assist me.

Hi folks
glad it worked

however you probably didn't need to do this at all if instead of using Open Office / Libre Office you use (also free) wps office ---- will use excel formats without any change whatsoever --far more compatible with Ms Office than anything else.

Free Download WPS Office 2016/2019 for PC/Android/iOS & WPS PDF to Word, Data Recovery Master - WPS Office Download

Not sure why this is rarely mentioned - most people seem to go for openoffice or libreoffice -- I find both of those real dogs compared to wps office.

Cheers
jimbo