---
title: ".xml file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .xml file is an Extensible Markup Language. A tag-based text format for structured data, still everywhere in enterprise systems. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/xml/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .xml files

**.xml file: Extensible Markup Language**

A tag-based text format for structured data, still everywhere in enterprise systems.

## What opens a .xml file

- **Windows:** Any web browser, Visual Studio Code, Notepad (built in)
- **macOS:** Any web browser, Visual Studio Code, TextEdit (built in)
- **Linux:** Any web browser, Visual Studio Code, Text Editor (built in)
- **In a browser:** Any web browser

## What a .xml file is

XML is a W3C standard from 1998 for describing data with nested tags. It underpins RSS feeds, Office documents, Android layouts and countless business data exchanges, though JSON has replaced it for most new web APIs. Browsers display an XML file as a collapsible tree, which is usually the quickest way to look at one.

## Converting it

A .xml file is commonly converted to .json, .csv, .xlsx, .html or .txt. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .xml
- **Full name:** Extensible Markup Language
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** application/xml
- **Created by:** W3C
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

### How do I open a .xml file?

On Windows use Any web browser; on macOS use Any web browser; on Linux use Any web browser. A tag-based text format for structured data, still everywhere in enterprise systems.

### What is a .xml file?

Extensible Markup Language. XML is a W3C standard from 1998 for describing data with nested tags. It underpins RSS feeds, Office documents, Android layouts and countless business data exchanges, though JSON has replaced it for most new web APIs.

### Can I convert a .xml file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .json, .csv, .xlsx, .html or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.csv — Comma-Separated Values](https://atoneplace.net/file/csv/)
- [.json — JavaScript Object Notation](https://atoneplace.net/file/json/)
- [.yaml — YAML Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/yaml/)
- [.log — Log File](https://atoneplace.net/file/log/)
- [.torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File](https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/)
- [.dat — Generic Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/dat/)
- [.vcf — vCard Contact File](https://atoneplace.net/file/vcf/)
- [.sql — SQL Script](https://atoneplace.net/file/sql/)
- [.ics — iCalendar Event](https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/)
- [.sqlite — SQLite Database](https://atoneplace.net/file/sqlite/)
- [.db — Generic Database File](https://atoneplace.net/file/db/)
- [.bin — Binary File](https://atoneplace.net/file/bin/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)