How to Convert XML to HTML Format? Free Techniques
Struggling to read or present an XML file in a clean format? Then convert XML to HTML process allows you to view structured data in a browser-friendly layout with proper formatting like tables, headings, and alignment without any modification.
XML, also known as Extensible Markup Language, is used to store and transfer large amounts of data in a structured format. But it is not a human-readable format, whereas HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and is used to display data in a visual format in web browsers. It mainly focuses on presentation—like headings, tables, and layouts.
Due to the easy and simple structure of an HTML file, experts choose HTML over XML. But XML to HTML conversion is not an easy task because of the structure. Here we will describe the possible ways to convert XML to HTML format.
Automatic XML to HTML Converter (Bulk Conversion)
If you have multiple large XML files, then only FreeViewer XML Converter can work smoothly. This software can handle multiple large XML files without limitations. Also, the XML to HTML converter works with all types of XML files, including invalid, large, deeply nested, and complex structures. It preserves all the attributes during the conversion.
How to Convert XML to HTML on Windows Manually?
You can change XML to HTML formats using MS Excel, Web Browsers, and the XSLT option. All methods for Windows are mentioned below in detail:
Method 1: Using Microsoft Excel (Best for Structured Data)
- Open your MS Excel.
- Hit on the “File” tab >> “Open” and choose your XML file.
- Then, select “As an XML table” when the pop-up appears.
- Now your data will automatically be arranged in rows and columns.
- Hit on the “File” >> “Save As” option.
- Choose “Web Page (.html)” from the “File Type” list.
- Select a location and save your converted file.
Method 2: Convert XML to HTML Using a Web Browser
- Right-click on your XML file.
- Choose “Open With” >> “Chrome/Edge” options.
- Hit the “Ctrl + P” → “Save as PDF or HTML”.
- And finally, save your file.
Method 3: Using XSLT (Custom Formatting Method)
This method is divided into two steps to convert XML to HTML format.
- Open your “Notepad”.
- Now save your file as style.xsl.
- Now paste the sample code:
<xsl:stylesheet xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform" version="1.0"> <xsl:template match="/"> <html> <head> <title>XML to HTML</title> </head> <body> <h2>Product List</h2> <table border="1"> <tr> <th>Name</th> <th>Price</th> </tr> <xsl:for-each select="items/item"> <tr> <td><xsl:value-of select="name"/></td> <td><xsl:value-of select="price"/></td> </tr> </xsl:for-each> </table> </body> </html> </xsl:template> </xsl:stylesheet>
Step 2: Link XSLT to XML File
- Open your XML file in Notepad.
- Now add this line at the top:
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="style.xsl"?> - And save your file.
- Now right-click on the XML file.
- Choose “Open with” → “Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge”.
How to Convert XML File to HTML on MacOS?
You can follow these three techniques on MacOS to convert XML to HTML.
Method 1: Using Safari (Quickest Method)
- Find your XML file.
- Right-click on it “Open With” option.
- Choose the “Safari” option.
- Use “Command + P” → “Save as HTML” option.
Method 2: Using Excel for Mac (Structured Data)
- Firstly, Open your MS Excel.
- Hit the “File” → “Open” and choose your XML file.
- Select to open as an XML table.
- After loading, click “File” >> “Save As” option.
- Choose the “Web Page (.html)” format.
Method 3: XML to HTML Conversion Using XSLT
- Firstly, Create an XSLT file that defines an HTML layout.
- Now add this line at the top of the XML file:
<< ?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="style.xsl"? >> - Now you can open XML file in Safari.
- It will render in HTML format.
Setbacks of Manual Techniques of Both Mac & Windows
- Convert XML to HTML with any browser, which doesn’t convert files; it just previews XML data.
- Also, it shows an unformatted or messy display.
- MS Excel will work only with a properly structured/tabular XML file.
- Doesn’t support large and multiple XML files.
- Also, XSLT method requires technical knowledge.
Best Option for Smooth Process: XML to HTML Converter
The suggested XML to HTML converter tool is the best way to convert multiple XML files to HTML format in bulk at the same time. It was developed with smart algorithms for a simple interface. You can easily upload your files for smooth conversion. It comes with phenomenal advantages to convert XML to HTML format.
Why Paid Tool Over Manual Methods?
- Manual techniques don’t work with multiple files, while the software can easily convert multiple files at the same time.
- This tool maintains all the tags and attributes of the XML file and perfectly arranged in HTML format.
- This software works with all XML files exported from any application and servers, and supports invalid, corrupted, nested, and complex structure files.
- It gives you 15+ different saving formats like convert XML to CSV, PDF, HTML, SQL Script, SQLite, YAML, etc.
- The XML to HTML converter provides dual options to add files and folders at once without repeating the same process for each file.
How to Convert XML to HTML Format?
- Firstly, Download and start the XML to HTML converter.

- Now, add your files using the “Add Files” and “Add Folder” options.

- Check and analyze your selected files and hit the “Next”.

- Choose the saving option as “HTML” from the list.

- Now use the “Change” icon to select the saving location in the machine.
- Finally, Hit the “Export” button to convert XML to HTML format.

Conclusion
If you are also struggling with the complex structure of XML and want to transform it into a simple HTML format, then this is the right guide. Here we have discussed manual and automatic solutions to resolve the issue. Manual techniques are best for one or two files; for multiple files, you should use an automatic XML to HTML converter to convert XML to HTML files.