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Download excel

  • September 27, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 23 views

How do I download an excel spreadsheet (xlsx) without box automatically converting it into a PDF? I did not request a PDF. My client gave me permission to download everything so I can modify files, yet it is ridiculously hard to download anything. On top of auto-converting, the website only allows me to download one document at a time instead of selecting multiple files for download. 

    1 reply

    Jey Bueno Box
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    • Jey Bueno Box
    • Community Manager
    • September 28, 2026

    Hi ​@Tara Z, welcome to the Box Community!


    Here is how to address both of your concerns regarding downloading original Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx) and downloading multiple files simultaneously from the Box web application:
     

    1. Downloading Excel files in their original format (.xlsx) instead of PDF


    Box does not convert your original file format upon standard download. When you download a file properly, it will download in its original extension (e.g., .xlsx). If you are receiving a PDF, it is likely because you are clicking the Download as PDF button within the Box Preview window (a feature introduced in Preview modernization (Apr 2023)).


    To download the original .xlsx file:

    • From the main folder list: Hover over or click next to the file row/name to select it, then click the Download icon (or button) in the top-right action toolbar, or click the More Options (...) menu next to the file and select Download.
    • From the preview window: If you already clicked into the spreadsheet preview, make sure you choose the standard Download option rather than the "Download as PDF" action in the preview toolbar or menu.
    • Edit without downloading: You can also open and modify the spreadsheet directly in its native format using Open with Microsoft Excel (desktop) via Box Tools/co-authoring, or Excel for Web, which saves modifications directly back to Box.
       

    2. Downloading multiple files at once (bulk download)


    You do not need to download files one at a time:

    • Select multiple items: Hold down the Shift key (or Ctrl / Cmd key) and click each item you want to download. Alternatively, press Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac) to select all items in the folder view.
    • Download as a ZIP: Once multiple items are selected, the action toolbar will appear in the top-right header above your file list. Click Download.
    • ZIP archive: Box will automatically package your selected files into a single .zip file for download to your computer. Once downloaded, simply unzip the archive to access all your .xlsx spreadsheets.
    • Folder download: You can also download an entire folder by selecting the folder itself and clicking Download, which will download the entire contents as a zipped archive.


    Thank you, and let us know if you have any other concerns.

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