The ability is there to read it directly.

Select the FILE OPEN function on menu, then we can save as SP1 file: SYSMAC support soft ladder program (*SP1).
Before CX-Programmer Ver.2.1

File Conversion Utility converts the SP1 file specifying the CXT file to read the SP1 File.

Then it is possible to save as CXT file. Then open CXT file by CX-Programmer.