File & Data
How to Split an Excel Workbook into Separate Files
Multi-sheet workbooks are convenient to edit, but teammates often need one file per worksheet. Looty Tools Split Excel turns selected visible sheets into separate XLSX workbooks entirely in your browser. This guide covers the workflow, download rules, and the fidelity limits to expect.
Ready to try the tool this guide describes?
When splitting a workbook helps
Use Split Excel when you need to share only some worksheets, send each department its own file, or feed systems that accept one sheet per workbook.
The tool creates new workbooks from worksheet data. It is not a perfect clone of every Excel feature in the original file.
Supported inputs and limits
Choose one .xlsx or .xls file up to 25 MB with at most 50 worksheets. CSV and macro-enabled .xlsm files are rejected. Hidden worksheets are excluded from selection.
- Supported extensions: .xlsx and .xls
- Maximum file size: 25 MB
- Maximum worksheets: 50
- Maximum selected outputs: 50
- Estimated generated output cap: 150 MB before ZIP compression
How to split on Looty Tools
One selected sheet downloads as a direct .xlsx file. Two or more selected sheets download as one ZIP archive.
- Open Split Excel at /tools/split-excel.
- Choose or drop an XLSX or XLS workbook.
- Review visible worksheets; all visible sheets are selected by default.
- Use Select all or Clear all as needed, then confirm the proposed filenames.
- Select Split to download one XLSX file or a ZIP of workbooks.
What to expect from formulas and formatting
Stored formula expressions and cached values are kept where SheetJS supports them. Formulas are not recalculated. References to sheets you did not include can become invalid after the split.
Common cell values, merges, and many number formats are preserved where supported. Charts, images, macros, named ranges, data validation, frozen panes, and advanced drawings are not promised.
How to Split an Excel Workbook FAQ
- Do I need Microsoft Excel installed to split a workbook?
- No. Splitting runs in the browser and downloads XLSX files you can open later in Excel, Sheets, or similar apps.
- Can I include every worksheet?
- You can select every visible worksheet. Hidden and very-hidden sheets are excluded.
- When do I get a ZIP instead of one file?
- When two or more worksheets are selected, the tool packages each generated XLSX into one ZIP download.
- Are formulas recalculated during the split?
- No. Cached values are kept when available. Recalculate in Excel before saving if you need fresh results.
- Where should I read next about Split Excel?
- See /guides/split-excel-sheets-into-separate-files for multi-sheet download details and /guides/split-excel-without-uploading for privacy. Open the tool at /tools/split-excel when you are ready.
Related guides
- Split Excel Sheets into FilesLearn when to export each Excel worksheet as its own workbook, how ZIP downloads work for multiple sheets, and how filenames are sanitized.
- Split Excel Without UploadingSee how browser-based Excel splitting keeps workbook data on your device, what still leaves the machine, and how local splitting differs from upload services.
- Browser-Based File PrivacyUnderstand local browser processing, when files stay on your device, practical privacy checks, and how Looty Tools discloses different processing models.