The files called XML (Extensible Markup Language or Extensible Markup Language) are a meta-language that serves to store data and facilitate its transmission between different technologies without affecting its original structure.

Due to the aforementioned, the language of XML files is considered universal (it is related to other languages ​​such as XHTML, MathML, SVG, among others), so it can be opened in any type of text editor. However, if it contains very complex structures (with many nested labels), it is best to look for a more professional editor that allows better visualization of the document and facilitates its possible editing.

The most common is to find this format in electronic invoices, especially in receipts for tax payments. For this reason, if you need to view XML files, edit them or convert them to PDF, we will tell you how to open XML files without any complications and with the easiest options for PC and mobile.

How to open XML files in Windows

If you want to open an XML file in Windows 10, there are a wide variety of options, it all depends on the complexity of the XML files (the number of nested tags they contain), and if you want to edit it (and to what extent you want to do it). Next, we describe what to do for each option:

Excel

Excel is one of the best options for opening simple XML files, as it can sort the tags and present the file as a table, making it easier to read and understand. In addition, it is not only a reader of XML files but also allows you to edit them.

However, if the file is very complex (it has many nested labels), it will hardly be organized well within a table. In these cases, we recommend using an XML viewer or editor.

If you want to know how to open XML files in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Open Excel.
2. Select the “File” tab from the menu.
3. Choose “Open.”
4. Select the icon called “Team.”
5. Choose the “Browse” button (the icon is a folder).
6. Find and open the XML file. If the file does not appear, select in the lower menu of the window, the button that says “All files” or “XML files”.
7. A window will appear, choose the option “As XML table”.
8. If a warning appears, read it and accept it.
9. View the XML file. A table appears organized according to the label structures (source data). Thanks to this, you can customize the table, using the sorting and filtering tools that Excel offers you.

Text editors

Text editors are the easiest and fastest way to view an XML file. However, these do not read the tags, so you will see them within the plain text. If you want to know the content of an XML file quickly, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the XML file. A list of options will be displayed there.
2. Select “Open With” and hit the default Notepad program (which also works with others like Word Pad).
3. The file will automatically open and the information it contains will appear.
4. You will be able to use the tags to interpret the text and locate where the title (tag) or the body of the text (tag) is.

Web browsers

Web browsers, such as text editors, can open XML files, but cannot interpret the tags. It is another simple option if you need a fast XML file viewer and you do not need to edit it or make it easier to read. Follow these steps to use it:

1. Open your browser.
2. Drag the XML file to a new tab. Ready! You can now visualize it. So if you were wondering how to open XML files in Google Chrome or any other browser, you already know how to do it.

Program to open XML files for free

If, in addition to reading the XML file, you need to edit it, we recommend looking for an XML viewer and editor. There are a wide variety of programs that you can use, including Edit Plus, Office XML Handler, oXygen XML Editor, XML Explorer, XML Viewer, XML Marker, etc. In this case, we will use a free option called XML Notepad. Follow these steps to use it:

1. Download the program from the Microsoft website and follow the installation instructions.
2. Open the file. When it detects that you have the XML editor installed, the file will automatically open in the new program when you double-click on it. If it doesn’t, right-click, choose the “Open with” option, and locate the newly installed program in the list of suggestions.
3. Another alternative is to run the program and open the file from the menu, choosing the File> Open option. The Windows browser will open and you will be able to find your file where you have it saved.
4. Once your XML file is open, you can arrange it for better reading or editing.

How to open XML files online

If you do not have time to install a program or you are on a computer that is not yours, do not worry. You can view and edit XML files online with free options such as codebeautify.org, XMLGrid.net, XMLViewer.org, among others. In this case, we will use XML Viewer to explain how to open XML files online, follow these steps:

1. Open the web page of the viewer.
2. Translate the page into Hindi. Since most of these pages are in English, it is more convenient to change the language. Right-click on any empty area of ​​the page and choose “Translate to Spanish”.
3. Explore the interface. From the beginning, XML Viewer will show you two empty boxes, and in the middle of both, a column made up of buttons (with different viewing and editing functions).
4. Press the “Browse” button. A window will pop up, locate the XML file on your computer, and wait for it to load on the page.
5. Press the blue “Format” button and you can read the file more easily.

Other pages like XMLGrid also allow you to edit the XML files and view the information in cells.

How to open XML files on mobile

There are two ways to open XML files on mobile (be it Android or iOS). It can be through the text editor or through an APP. If the first alternative does not work (it can happen on very old mobile devices), you can resort to the second proposal (it is infallible). Here are some suggestions for mobile phones and tablets:

How to open XML files on Android

To open XML files on Android you can use its file manager and text editor. Follow these steps and you will be able to open them:

1. Open the “File Manager” (file manager). If you don’t have it, download an application that fulfils the same function.
2. Open the XML file. Once in the file manager, find the XML and click on it. Automatically, it will open in the “Text Editor”.

The other option you have is to download an app to have a specialized XML file viewer. Here we give you the steps to do it with the QuickEdit app, although you can also use a File Viewer call.

1. Search and download the app from the PlayStore.
2. Select the XML file. A window will appear asking for permission for the app to access your files, press the “Allow” button.
3. The file will open within the application. You will see the data in the XML file horizontally.
4. If you want to view it vertically, go to the settings (the dots icon) and look for the Wrap> Wrap options. Now that you know how to open XML files on Android, you can check your XML invoices anywhere.

How to open XML files on iOS

Apple’s operating system also has a built-in notepad app. Here you can open the XML files with plain text. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Download the file from the cloud. Do it from the cloud service you used to transfer the file to your phone. For example, from iCloud.
2. Tap the file once downloaded. It will automatically open in your notepad.

As with Android, there are also applications on iOS that will allow you to easily open XML files. In this case, we will use a Browser File & Manager call, but you can also use a FileAppes call with which you can manage your files, edit and share them (it is not free). Let’s see how to open XML files on iPhone with the free option:

1. Download the Browser File & Manager app from the AppStore.
2. Find the file you want to open and select it. A window will appear with several alternatives, press the option that says “Open in Files (it is the icon with a blue square that contains a white arrow pointing downwards.
3. The file will open immediately.

How to convert XML files to PDF

If you have an invoice in XML and you want to print it, the best way to do it is by converting it into a pdf. Although it may seem complicated to you, it is not at all, yes, there are more complex methods than others. Therefore, here we leave you several options for converting XML to PDF.

How to Convert XML to PDF Online

If you only want to convert an XML file occasionally, it may be better for you to do it online. There are many pages that allow you to do this, in this article we will use pdfconvertonline.com, a free and easy-to-use option.

1. Open the web page.
2. Click the “Choose files” button. Next to it it will indicate that the file you selected was uploaded.
3. Select the “Add XML to PDF” box.
4. Press the “Convert XML to PDF” button.
5. Another tab will open with the XML file already converted to PDF.
6. Download and save it. Put the cursor on the top edge and the options will appear on the right. The download icon and the print icon appear there.

Just as you can convert XML files to PDF, you can also do the opposite process. Find out how in our article How to convert PDF files to XML.