title: python: converting corrupt xls file
body: <p>I have downloaded few sales dataset from a SAP application. SAP has automatically converted the data to .XLS file. Whenever I open it using <code>Pandas</code> library I am getting the following error:</p>
  
  <pre><code>XLRDError: Unsupported format, or corrupt file: Expected BOF record; found '\xff\xfe\r\x00\n\x00\r\x00'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When I opened the .XLS file using MSEXCEL it is shows a popup saying that the <code>file is corrupt or unsupported extension do you want to continue</code> when I clicked 'Yes' its showing the correct data. When I saved the file again as .xls using msexcel I am able to use it using <code>Pandas</code>.</p>
  
  <p>So, I tried renaming the file using <code>os.rename()</code> but it dint work. I tried opening the file and removing <code>\xff\xfe\r\x00\n\x00\r\x00</code>, but then also it dint work.</p>
  
  <p>The solution is to open MSEXCEL and save the file again as .xls manually, is there any way to automate this. Kindly help.</p>