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Written By
Simran Bhatia -
Approved By
Sonika Rawat -
Updated on
September 3rd, 2025 -
Read Time
6 minutes
Top Ways to Convert XML to XLSX – Best Guide
Imagine the need to analyse customer records, receipts, orders, inventory, and log files stored in XML format. While the XML format ensures structure, the XLSX file format provides the flexibility to filter, sort, and execute formulas and more. If you convert XML to XLSX, it bridges the gap between structure, usability, and scalability. In this guide, find out how you can convert XML to Excel with ease for free or with an XML Converter Tool.
How Beneficial is XML to XLSX Conversion?
Before finding the reasons that make this conversion crucial, let’s look at the difference between these two common Excel file formats.
| XML | XLSX |
| Extensible Markup Language is a format for plain-text-based files. | MS Excel spreadsheet format used from 2007 and later versions. |
| Organize data in a structured and hierarchical format. | Stores structured and complex data in rows and columns |
| Users need tags to define the information within the file. | Offers basic to advanced formatting for analysis, data sorting, and reports. |
| Used by applications and OS to exchange information and save configuration settings. | Accessible on multiple applications (MS Excel/Google Sheets/Libre Office), OS, and even mobile phones. |
With a clear understanding of the formats, check out these major factors for which users convert XML to XLSX:
- Visual representation and an easy way to edit, format, and analyze the data.
- Non-tech users can swiftly optimize the data without any coding or manual hassle.
- The XLSX file format doesn’t require programming tools or parsers for data read and access.
- XML outputs from CRMs, APIs, and ERP systems can be automatically reported after conversion to XLSX.
- To ensure the integrity of the data and to streamline the workflows when 100s or 1000s of XML data appear.
How to Convert XML File to XLSX?
There are a few manual processes to save XML as an XLSX file and an automated tool that makes the process a bit quicker and simpler. Let’s go through each one of them briefly by following the steps below.
Manual Convert XML to XLSX for Free
There are two different processes that you can use here. One is for everyone by using MS Excel, and another one is basically for techies who have programming knowledge. These are:
Method 1: Change XML to XLSX with Excel
- Start Microsoft Excel and in a new blank spreadsheet, head to the Data tab.
- Then, click on Get External Data and select From XML Data Import.
- Or, you can do it through File >> Open >> select XML >> As Table Data >> OK. (optional)
- Further, choose your XML file and ensure you can view the data in Excel.
- After that, go to File and from the Save As pane, select XLSX as output format.
- Lastly, choose your destination and give your new file a name. Tap Save.
Note: Using this process, you can even convert XML to CSV.
This method is for sure direct and from within the Excel application. It is suited for the small XML to XLSX conversion, but for bulk datasets, Excel may freeze. Also, there is a potential risk that formatting errors occur since no advanced formatting options are available. This can even lead to crashes. So, it’s better to look at other alternatives.
Method 2: Convert XML to XLSX Without Opening File
There is a unique challenge that most users face during this conversion: “Why Excel won’t open XML file?” And due to this, you cannot save to XLSX either. One major factor for this is that XML files over 100 MB in Excel cause crashes. So, to perform a smooth conversion here, we prefer Python scripting that you can try too. It parses XML and directly gives output in XLSX. Use the following code:
|
#First, Import Libraries import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET from openpyxl import Workbook Import pandas as pd # Then, Load XML tree = ET.parse(‘largefile.xml’) root = tree.getroot() # Now, Create a New Excel Workbook wb = Workbook() data = wb.active ws.title = “XML File Data” # Further, Extract Column Names from First Element headers = [child.tag for child in root[0]] data.append(headers) # Also, Extract Data Rows for item in root: row = [child.text for child in item] data.append(row) # Finally, Save to XLSX wb.save(‘output.xlsx’) OR df = pd.DataFrame(data) df.to_excel(“output.xlsx”, index=False) |
Advantages:
- Convert XML File to XLSX and make changes with minimal effort.
- Add filters, rename columns, and handle the nested structure with parsing.
Drawbacks:
- Free but requires Python knowledge and can be too complex at times.
Automated Method to Convert XML to XLSX
Though online tools would have done this task too but they lack security. Therefore, we introduce you to the SysInfo XML Converter Tool, a reliable and advanced utility with some special filters and features. It makes the process speedy with full accuracy, ensuring folder structure is maintained and the integrity is retained. Additionally, the tool can handle multiple XML datasets at once and works efficiently on all Windows OS versions.
Besides this, download the demo version of the tool. Use it to convert upto 1 MB of XML file to XLSX or other formats for free. Moreover, take a look at this user case, where the tool proved to be helpful:
“The finance team received 5,000+ XML invoices monthly from different vendors. Instead of opening each file manually, they used the XML to XLSX Converter. It transformed all XML files into a single consolidated XLSX report within a few hours, saving time and effort.”
Steps to Convert XML File to XLSX
- Start XML Conversion Tool and click Select File or Select Folder.
- After that, choose .xml files from the PC and press Open to view. Tap Next.
- Further, preview the data within them from the tree view and select folders.
- Subsequently, click Next and then choose the XLSX file format from the list.
- Apply the filters and, with Destination Path, pick up a location. At last, tap Convert.
Conclusion
To sum up, in this blog, we learned three different ways to convert XML to XLSX for free and with a tool. Converting the file formats here isn’t just about the change of extensions, but also about making data more accessible, usable, and scalable. Moreover, in business needs, choosing the optimum solution like a professional tool can be of great help.
FAQ
Q. How do I open XML in Google Sheets?
Ans- To do so, you need to change the XML file to XLSX. For that, using an expert tool like the XML File Converter is a reliable choice. It is quick, secure, keeps data intact, and handles bulk conversions without any limitations or difficulties.
Q. Are XML and XLSX the same?
Ans- No, the file formats are both represented by MS Excel, but they differ in properties and use. XML is a more structured, coded, and plain-text format. Whereas XLSX is generally used for analysis, data filtering, creating reports, and more.
About The Author:
Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.
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