How to View XML Files

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to view an XML file's code. You can do this on any computer by using the built-in text editor, a browser, or an online XML viewer.

Things You Should Know

  • You can view XML files in different ways including using a text editor, like Notepad or TextEdit, a web browser like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, or an XML viewer.
  • Open your text editor or XML viewer, then open your XML to view it.
  • Drag and drop the XML file to your web browser to view it.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Text Editor

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/View-XML-Files-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/View-XML-Files-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can use your computer's "Open With" feature to open the XML file in a text editor, which will allow you to see the XML file's code in plain-text form.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/View-XML-Files-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/View-XML-Files-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so will prompt a drop-down menu.
    • On a Mac, click on the XML file, then click File in the upper-left side of the screen.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/View-XML-Files-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/View-XML-Files-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's near the middle of the drop-down menu. A pop-out menu will appear. [1]
    • On a Mac, you'll find Open With in the File drop-down menu.
    • If you don't see Open with on Windows, click once the XML file to select it, then right-click the file.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/View-XML-Files-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/View-XML-Files-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click Notepad on Windows, or click TextEdit on a Mac. Doing so will open the XML file's code in the text editor.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/View-XML-Files-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/View-XML-Files-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    While the XML file's actual formatting (if present) won't display due to being opened in a text editor, you will be able to see the code that was used to create the XML file.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Browser

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/View-XML-Files-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/View-XML-Files-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most popular web browsers can display XML files' code, though Microsoft Edge cannot: [2]
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    • Safari
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/View-XML-Files-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/View-XML-Files-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":552,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the "New Tab" button, which is usually to the right of the right-most tab at the top of the window, to do so.
    • In most web browsers, you can also press Ctrl + T (Windows) or ⌘ Command + T (Mac) to open a new tab.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/View-XML-Files-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/View-XML-Files-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open the XML file's location, then click and drag the file onto the browser window and drop the file there.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/View-XML-Files-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/View-XML-Files-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Dragging and dropping your XML file into the browser will prompt the browser to display the XML file's code in a "tree" view.
    • You can click the + or - (or, if you're using Chrome, the triangle) to the left of a main tag in the XML code to minimize or expand the code.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using an XML Viewer

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/View-XML-Files-Step-10-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-10-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/View-XML-Files-Step-10-Version-5.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-10-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://codebeautify.org/xmlviewer in your computer's web browser. This viewer allows you to upload an XML file to view its code, as well as choose different viewing formats.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/View-XML-Files-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/View-XML-Files-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll find this button near the top of the window. Doing so opens a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/View-XML-Files-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/View-XML-Files-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to the location of your XML file, then click the XML file once to select it.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/View-XML-Files-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/View-XML-Files-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This option is in the bottom-right corner of the window. Your XML file will be uploaded to the viewer, and its code will be displayed on the left side of the page.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/View-XML-Files-Step-14-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-14-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/View-XML-Files-Step-14-Version-4.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-14-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's a button in the middle of the window. Doing so will cause your XML file's text to display in color-coded format in the "Result" window on the right side of the page.
    • Sections of XML which are the same (non-black) color correspond to each other. For example, green text refers to tags.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/View-XML-Files-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-View-XML-Files-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/View-XML-Files-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/aid1420855-v4-728px-View-XML-Files-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Clicking the green Tree button in the middle of the page will format the "Result" window, making the code easier to read.
    • You can click each of the headings in the "Tree View Result" window to minimize or expand them.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I display an XML file as a database?
    Community Answer
    You need a program that "parses" the data into the database. MySQL (MariaDB) has a method called ''LOAD XML''.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 19
  • Question
    How are XML programs understood by a web browser?
    Community Answer
    The same way it interprets the HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc. languages. Web browsers are designed to translate the plain text information into graphics.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 18
  • Question
    How can I open an XML file on a mobile phone?
    Community Answer
    You open it the same way you would open HTML files. The browser interprets it without problems.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 3
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • XML files often don't have specific formatting assigned to them, so you may end up looking at a jumble of coding language instead of a clear page.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Open XML
      How to
      Open BIN Files
      How to
      Extract a GZ File on Windows, Linux, Mac, & Mobile
      How to
      Open DLL Files
      How to
      Install APK Files on Android
      4 Simple Ways to Scan and Save Documents
      How to
      Compress Large Files
      How to
      Open a DAT File
      6 Simple Ways to Play SWF Files Without Adobe Flash Player
      How to
      Open a .Zip File Without Winzip
      3 Easy Ways to Protect a Folder With a Password
      How to
      Open TMP Files
      How to
      Use 7-Zip to Compress Files to the Smallest Size
      How to
      Create a TXT File on Mac
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/how-to-open-an-xml-file/
      2. ↑ https://pds.nasa.gov/datastandards/training/documents/How%20to%20View%20an%20XML%20File.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Find and right-click the XML file.
      2. Select Open With
      3. Click Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac).
      4. Review the XML file's code.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,037,122 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement