Remove Compatibility Mode in Excel

If you open a workbook created in or saved in an Excel version before 2007 (Excel 97-2003) with a newer version of Excel, it opens the file in Compatibility Mode. 

When a workbook is in Compatibility Mode, Excel indicates it in the title bar of the Excel window, as shown below.

Excel in compatibility mode

The workbooks in Excel 97-2003 have 65,536 rows and 256 columns in a worksheet, as opposed to a whopping 1,048,576 rows and 16,384 columns in the newer versions of Excel.

When a workbook is in Compatibility Mode, Excel limits the features and formatting to those compatible with Excel 97-2003 versions, which use the .XLS file format.

When you open a workbook created in Excel 97-2003 and want to use new features available in newer versions of Excel, such as new functions like XLOOKUP, TEXTJOIN, etc., you must remove the compatibility mode. 

In this tutorial, I show you three ways to remove Compatibility Mode in Excel so that you can take full advantage of the new features in newer versions of Excel.

Method #1: Save the .XLS Workbook as an .XLSX

You can remove the Compatibility Mode in Excel by saving the .XLS workbook as an .XLSX file using the steps below:

  1. Open the workbook that is in Compatibility Mode.
  2. Click the File button to open the Backstage view.
  3. Click ‘Save As’ on the left sidebar of the Backstage view, click ‘Browse’ on the right, and navigate to the location where you want to save the file.
Save as and browse
  1. On the Save As feature, open the ‘Save as type’ drop-down and select ‘Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)’ on the list.
Save Excel file as xlsx
  1. Click Save.
  2. Open the saved file that is not in Compatibility Mode.
Also read: XLTX vs. XLSX – Difference and Similarities

Method #2: Export the .XLS Workbook to an .XLSX File Type

You can remove the Compatibility Mode in Excel by exporting the .XLS workbook to an .XLSX file format using the steps below:

  1. Open the workbook that is in Compatibility Mode.
  2. Click the File button to open the Backstage view.
  3. Click ‘Export’ on the left sidebar, click ‘Change File Type on the right, select the ‘Workbook (*.xlsx) option on the ‘Change File Type’ box, and click ‘Save As.’
Change file type of Excel to remove compatibility mode
  1. Click Save on the ‘Save As’ feature that appears.
  2. Open the exported workbook that is not in Compatibility Mode.
Also read: Unblock Macros in Excel Files Downloaded From the Web

Method #3: Convert the .XLS Workbook to the .XLSX File Type

To remove the compatibility mode, you can use the Convert command to convert an .XLS workbook to the .XLSX file type.

However, be aware that this command deletes the original version of the file.

Make a copy of your file before you use this command

You can use the steps below to convert the file:

  1. Open the workbook that is in Compatibility Mode.
  2. Select ‘Info’ on the left sidebar and click the ‘Convert’ button on the right.
Click on convert
  1. Click OK on the dialog box that appears.
Click OK on the dialog box
  1. Click Yes on the message box that appears.
Click Yes on the message box

The above step closes the .XLS file, removes the compatibility mode, and reopens it as an .XLSX workbook.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some FAQs people have about the compatibility mode in Excel.

What happens if I don’t remove Compatibility Mode?

If you don’t remove Compatibility Mode, you may not be able to use some of the newer features and functions available in the latest versions of Excel. Additionally, the file will remain limited to the older format’s row and column constraints.

Can I revert back to Compatibility Mode after converting?

Once you’ve converted a file from .XLS to .XLSX, you cannot revert it back to Compatibility Mode directly. However, you can save the .XLSX file as a .XLS file again, but this may result in loss of newer features and formatting.

Are there any risks involved in converting old files?

Converting old files to the newer .XLSX format generally preserves most data and formatting. However, there can be some risks, such as:

  • Loss of features that are not supported in the newer format.
  • Changes in formatting or layout.
  • Macros and VBA scripts may need to be updated.
  • It’s always a good idea to create a backup of your original file before converting.

Will converting to .XLSX affect my macros?

Converting to .XLSX should not affect your macros if they are written in a compatible manner. However, some older macros may need to be updated to work correctly in the newer format. It’s advisable to test your macros after conversion.

Can I use new Excel functions in Compatibility Mode?

No, new Excel functions introduced in versions after Excel 97-2003, such as XLOOKUP, TEXTJOIN, and others, are not available in Compatibility Mode. You need to convert the file to .XLSX to use these functions.

In this tutorial, I have shown you three ways to remove Compatibility Mode in Excel. I hope you found the tutorial helpful.

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I am a huge fan of Microsoft Excel and love sharing my knowledge through articles and tutorials. I work as a business analyst and use Microsoft Excel extensively in my daily tasks. My aim is to help you unleash the full potential of Excel and become a data-slaying wizard yourself.

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