Convert from XML to Excel

Convert from XML to Excel

Convert from XML to Excel : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.

You have the perfect XML file with all of your product or statistic data, and now you need this data in Microsoft Excel format. The great thing is that Microsoft Excel provides an export feature so you can convert files that are in formats like CSV (comma separated values) or even XML (extensible markup language) to xls format. In this quick how-to, we will do a conversion.

I highly recommend making sure your file is valid. This means that your XML document is error-free.

Step 1

First of all, open Microsoft Excel. In this example, I am using Microsoft Excel from Office 2003.

Go to File | Open.

Select your XML file from your computer. You can also use the filter to find only XML files. Next to the item "Files of Type" in the Open dialog box, select "XML files (.xml)" from the dropdown menu.

Step 2

How do you want it opened?

Microsoft Excel will next ask you how you want it opened. There are a few options:

• As an XML list
• As a read-only workbook
• Use the XML Source task pane

Select the option "As an XML List".

Step 3

Does the file have an XML Schema or DTD (document type definition) file?

Well, Microsoft Excel is clever enough to actually check to see if the XML file refers to an external XML Schema or DTD file. If one exists, it asks about retrieving it for you. If the XML file is simple and does not have an XML Schema, then it will create one for you.

Step 4

Save your file and you are done.

Go to File | Save As. Give your new Excel file a name, and you are done.