Here’s how to open XML files . A complete guide on how to open a file in XML format from a PC, smartphone, online or in Excel, PDF and with P7m.
Using the computer you will have realized how many formats exist to open files, documents and programs. Although in most cases it is the operating system that automatically chooses the most suitable software to start a particular file, in some cases you may find yourself with a completely white desktop icon and an error message once you try to open it.
Although the reasons may be many, in some cases even trivial, often among the formats that create this problem the most is XML . If by right-clicking on the link icon you have verified in Properties that it is an XML file, then you need our help to understand how to open it without wasting too much time. In these lines we will deal with how to open an XML file on Windows, macOS, online and with your smartphone.
Index
- What is an XML file
- How to open XML files
- How to open an xml file with windows
- How to open an XML file with macOS
- How to open an XML file online
- How to open an XML file on smartphones and tablets
- More ways to open XML files
What is an XML file
Let’s start with some preliminary information, given that the XML format is not really among the best known, to understand how to open it it could be very useful for you to understand what it is.
When you use a file in XML format (Extensible Markup Language) you are using a structural document in which there are predefined tags . They are usually confused with HTML files, but the latter have the function of container for the files which will then be used to start the software.
An XML file does not have such a significant impact on the operating system, you can open it with dedicated software, whether online, portable or from a smartphone application. This format is mainly used for electronic invoicing .
How to open XML files
Since an XML file can be opened in different ways, to avoid confusion we will analyze them according to the device used. Let’s see how to launch an XML file from Windows, macOS, online and on smartphones.
How to open an xml file with windows
If you have a Windows operating system, be it the recent Windows 11 or an older version, the fastest and most effective solution is to use the integrated program: Notepad . The XML format being in fact a text document can also be opened with the versatile Notepad or Notepad. If your XML file is already on the Desktop, just click on it with the right mouse button and select the Open with item , then click with the left mouse button on Notepad . The file will open with the text inside, which you can then use as you see fit.
In reality, with Windows, you could also opt for WordPad , which with the same procedure allows you to view the XML file on the screen. You can make more edits with WordPad, but we’ve had some hitches on very large files compared to Notepad. Valid alternatives to Notepad and WordPad are: Notepad++ and XMLPad .
Read also: How to change the program for opening a file
How to open an XML file with macOS
Just like on Windows, the procedure for opening an XML file is also very simple on macOS . In this case you can opt for two integrated solutions: web browser or Textedit .
Web Browser : As you know macOS already has the Safari web browser installed by default , you can use that to access XML text view. To do this, right-click on the file to open and select Open with . In this case you will simply have to select the Safari web browser ; the procedure also applies to Google Chrome , Firefox and Edge , but with Safari you can benefit from excellent speed.
Textedit : if Windows can count on the always trusty Notepad or WordPad, on macOS the reference point for XML text files is Textedit . To initialize the visualization with this integrated software you will have to click with the right key on the desired file and select the Open with item , immediately after choose Textedit to view the result on the screen.
How to open an XML file online
As you know very well, there are so many online platforms that allow you to open different formats, XML is certainly not excluded from this list. Websites that can open XML format files are in many cases not very good at displaying results. Being a text file, even one comma can make a difference, therefore, you need a reliable platform.
Among the best websites there is certainly Code Beautify , which with its easy-to-use interface, takes care of bringing the XML text back to the screen in the best way. Access the official website and import your XML file into the editor.
Once the page has started, click on the Load URL button to load an XML online or on Browse. to open the file search folder on your computer. Find it and select it. Once the upload is finished, in the left window you will see the result. This website is very interesting because you can also convert XML to JSON or export the file to CSV by clicking on the Export to CSV button . Valid alternatives to Code Beautify are: View XML Online and XMLGrid .
How to open an XML file on smartphones and tablets
If you don’t particularly like using the PC or simply your XML file has already been downloaded to your smartphone, you’ll need to open it directly from there. To open your XML file from your mobile phone or tablet, all you have to do is take advantage of the text editors that they have by default. Just like Windows and macOS, Android systems also have a text editor that is useful for opening this format.
To start the XML file open the file manager of your smartphone (in case of problems on Android you can download the File Manager app ) and select the document you want to open, it will do it without any problem.
In case you have an iPhone with iOS you should necessarily download the file to iCloud and read it directly from there, as if it were a text note. Again, you don’t necessarily need third-party applications. For more info read our guide on how to sign in to iCloud .
If you have problems opening XML files you can try installing the apps: XML Viewer for Android or XML Viewer & converter to PDF for iPhone .
More ways to open XML files
You may not always prefer the programs built into Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, as these are functional, but often they are limited only to reading and little to converting or modifying them. In order to be able to open XML with different solutions you could opt for Excel , PDF or P7m .
Excel : most likely the Office package is also installed on your operating system, now essential for creating documents and editing them. Both Word and Excel can open a file in XML format without problems . To do this, however, you can opt for two ways:
- The first is to use the same method as Notepad ,with the Open With function and choosing Excel as the program;
- The second is to access Excel, press the File > Open menu and select the XML file. A popup will appear for you to choose how to open the file. Select one of the items among: XML table, Read-only workbook or Use XML source task pane and press OK . The software will show you the XML in one of the ways you specify.
PDF : what better software to read a text file than one capable of viewing PDFs? Most programs that read PDFs can also open XML files. However, we advise you to use third-party software that converts it into PDF format rather than opening the XML file, such as the Convert XML to PDF online service . In this way you will be able to view it on the screen with Adobe canons or similar.
P7m : if you have to open an electronic invoice in XML format and you are unable to do so, the format received is most likely not just XML, but XML.P7M . In this case you would need a dedicated software, which has the plugin to open this type. Among the best known software to open XML files with electronic invoice or Revenue Agency are AssoInvoice or Dike . You can find many on the web.
