.xml — Extensible Markup Language
W3C · 1998
What is a .xml file?
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a markup language designed for storing and transporting structured data. Unlike HTML which has predefined tags, XML allows users to define their own tags, making it incredibly flexible for representing any type of data. XML is used in configuration files, data feeds (RSS/Atom), SOAP web services, SVG graphics, and many document formats like DOCX and PPTX (which are XML inside ZIP archives).
Programs That Open .xml Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | VS Code | Free | |
| Notepad++ | Free | ||
| XMLSpy | Paid | ||
| macOS | VS Code | Free | |
| TextEdit | Free |
Common Problems with .xml Files
Frequently Asked Questions
.xml files can be opened with several programs. VS Code is one of the most popular choices.
Generally yes, .xml files are safe to open with appropriate software.
Yes, there are many online and offline tools available to convert .xml files. Check the conversion section above for specific methods.
Technical Details
Extensible Markup Language files use the application/xml MIME type and were first introduced in 1998 by W3C. The file can be identified by its signature: 3C 3F 78 6D 6C (<?xml).