What is .xml?
.xml (Extensible Markup Language) is a text-based format for structured data that uses nested tags to describe custom, self-describing document types. It was widely used for configuration, documents, and system-to-system data exchange before JSON became dominant.
This quick guide explains when to use .xml files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .xml files
- You are integrating with legacy systems, SOAP web services, or enterprise middleware.
- You need to work with standards that are defined in XML (RSS, Atom, SVG, some config formats).
- You require strict schemas (XSD) and validation for complex document structures.
- You are maintaining or migrating older applications that already use XML.
How to open .xml files
XML files can be opened in any text editor or IDE. Many editors provide syntax highlighting, tree views, and validation against schemas. Browsers can display XML directly as a tree, and tools like Postman, VS Code, and dedicated XML editors make it easier to inspect and edit. You can upload .xml files to FileXhost to share them via a clean URL for inspection and collaboration.
Algorithm details
XML is a markup language that represents data as nested elements with tags, attributes, and text content. It supports namespaces, entity references, and processing instructions. XML documents can be validated against DTDs or XSD schemas to enforce structure and data types. Parsing is typically done with DOM (tree-based), SAX (event-based), or StAX (streaming) APIs.
Browser & platform support
- Desktop: All modern browsers can load and display XML; some provide collapsible tree views with the help of extensions.
- Mobile: XML is handled by browsers and native SDKs, primarily as a data format rather than user-facing content.
- OS: Universally supported by standard libraries and frameworks across languages and platforms.
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| XML vs JSON | XML is more verbose and complex but supports attributes, mixed content, and rich schemas. JSON is lighter, maps directly to modern data structures, and is preferred for most new APIs. |
| Human Readability | Readable but can become noisy with deeply nested tags and attributes. |
| Tooling | Mature tooling exists for validation, transformation (XSLT), and querying (XPath/XQuery). |
| Use Case | Common in legacy enterprise systems, document-centric workflows, and some open standards. |
How to create xml files
- Manual Editing: Using XML-aware editors and IDEs with validation.
- Export Tools: Many enterprise systems and document tools export data as XML.
- APIs: SOAP and some older REST services use XML payloads.
- Serialization: Applications serialize objects to XML using language libraries.
How to convert xml files
- FileXhost: Upload XML to share and then transform it using your own tools.
- Desktop/CLI: xsltproc, xmlstarlet, `xmllint`, Python (xml.etree), Node.js libraries.
- Online Tools: XML ⇄ JSON, CSV, or YAML converters and formatters.
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Rich, self-describing structure with strong schema and validation support
- Mature ecosystem with XPath, XSLT, and XML databases
- Widely used in legacy enterprise systems and open standards
Disadvantages
- More verbose and harder to read than JSON for simple data
- Parsing and processing can be heavier than JSON in many runtimes
- Overkill for simple key-value or list-based data
Tools & software
Editors
VS Code (XML extensions), IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, Oxygen XML Editor
CLI/Utilities
xmllint, xmlstarlet, xsltproc
Viewers/Debuggers
Browser devtools, Postman, SoapUI, online XML viewers
Frequently asked questions
Why is XML considered a 'legacy' format now?
XML is still powerful, but for most web APIs and modern applications JSON is simpler, lighter, and better aligned with current tooling. XML remains common in older enterprise systems, document formats, and protocols that were standardized before JSON took over.
How do I convert XML to JSON?
Use tools like `xml2json`, xmlstarlet, or language libraries (Python, Node.js, Java) that can parse XML and emit JSON. Be aware that some XML structures (attributes, mixed content) do not map cleanly to JSON and may require custom rules.
Do browsers still use XML?
Yes, under the hood. Standards like SVG, RSS/Atom, and some config formats are XML-based. However, for application data over HTTP, JSON is far more common today.
Should I use XML for new APIs?
Generally no. For most new APIs, JSON (or sometimes Protocol Buffers/GraphQL) is preferred. XML may still be appropriate if you must integrate with existing XML-based standards or tooling.
Technical specs
- File type
- Code
- Extension
- .xml
- MIME type
- application/xml, text/xml
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.
Share .xml files instantly
Upload your .xml file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .xml file