How to Convert Excel to Dat

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to convert a Microsoft Excel file (.XLS) to the .DAT format on a Windows PC. You’ll begin by converting the .XLS file to .CSV (comma separated values) format, and then you can convert to .DAT in an app like Notepad.

Quick .XLS to .DAT Conversion Steps

Open your .XLS document in Excel.
Navigate to File > Save as... .
Change the Save as type drop-down to CSV (Comma delimited(*.csv) .
Save the file in your desired location.
Open the .CSV file in Notepad and navigate to File > Save as... .
Change the Save as type drop-down to All Files (*.*) .
Save the file as "[filename].DAT" where [filename] is your desired file name.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Converting to .CSV

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It’s in the Microsoft Office group of the All Apps section of the Windows/Start menu.
It’s near the top-left corner of the screen.

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The file will open in Excel.
A list of file types will appear.
This will create a file that can be converted to .DAT format.
It goes into the “File name” field. If you want to accept the current name you can skip this step.
A confirmation message will appear.
The .CSV file is saved and ready to be converted.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Converting the .CSV to .DAT

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This opens the file explorer.
Don’t click the file once you open the folder, just bring it onto the screen.
A list of apps will appear.
The file will open in the Notepad app.
It’s near the top-left corner of Notepad.
It’s below the “File name” field. A list of file types will appear.
Choosing this option allows you to specify your own file extension.
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Rename the file with .DAT at the end. For example, if the “File name” field currently says Book1.txt , change it to Book1.dat .
- It doesn’t matter whether the letters in .DAT are capital or lowercase.
The original file is now saved in the .DAT format.