Converting .xls to google spreadsheet in google apps script

Question

I have an .xls file stored in Google Drive. I want to convert it to the Google Sheets spreadsheet file format from Google Apps Script. Is there any way to do this without external solutions?

Answer 1

This is now possible using the Advanced Drive service:

https://developers.google.com/apps-script/advanced/drive

When using Drive.Files.insert, simply set the optional parameter "convert" to "true".

var file = {
    title: 'Converted Spreadsheet'
  };
  file = Drive.Files.insert(file, xlsxBlob, {
    convert: true
  });

This was also obtained from the above given issue

Answer 2

Other than using the delivered 'upload' and convert functions, it's not currently available. Requesting enhancement request here: http://code.google.com/p/google-apps-script-issues/issues/detail?id=1019