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SQL to XML Converter

Extract data from SQL INSERT statements and convert it into XML. Paste one or many INSERT INTO ... VALUES statements and get one XML element per row, with configurable root and row tag names.

Category: data
Use Case: Database Export, Legacy System Integration, SQL Dump Review
Privacy: 100% browser-based

Conversion Options

Recommended Settings

Pro Tips

  • Column names from the INSERT statement become the XML element names inside each row
  • Works with a single INSERT statement with many VALUES tuples, or multiple separate INSERT statements for the same table
  • Column names with spaces or symbols are automatically sanitized into valid XML tag names
  • NULL values become self-closing tags like <field/> instead of empty open/close pairs
  • Special characters (&, <, >, quotes) in string values are automatically escaped

Most Popular

Most users keep the default 'table'/'row' tag names and pretty printing enabled

When to Use This Tool

Legacy System Integration

Convert data extracted from SQL INSERT statements into XML for import into legacy systems, SOAP APIs, or enterprise tools that require XML rather than JSON or CSV.

Reviewing SQL Dumps

Inspect the actual data inside a large .sql backup or seed file by converting its INSERT statements into structured, readable XML.

Data Migration

Bridge SQL-based systems and XML-based data pipelines by converting INSERT statement data directly into XML documents.

Custom XML Schemas

Use the configurable root and row tag names to quickly produce XML that matches a specific schema your downstream tooling expects.

How It Works

1

Split the SQL input into individual statements, respecting semicolons inside quoted strings

2

Filter to statements starting with INSERT INTO, and parse each one's table name, optional column list, and VALUES section

3

Extract each parenthesized VALUES tuple, correctly handling nested parentheses and commas inside quoted string values

4

Sanitize column names and the root/row tag names into valid XML element names

5

Build one XML element per row, escape special characters in values, and assemble the final XML document

100% Private

Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.

Lightning Fast

Powered by Pure JavaScript for optimal performance on modern browsers.

Secure

No data collection, no tracking, no sign-up required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What SQL syntax does this tool support?

It parses standard INSERT INTO table (columns) VALUES (...), (...); statements, including statements without an explicit column list. CREATE TABLE statements and other SQL are ignored.

Can I customize the XML element names?

Yes. Set the Root Tag (the outermost element wrapping all rows) and Row Tag (the element repeated for each data row) to match whatever schema your target system expects.

What happens if a column name isn't valid XML?

Column names are automatically sanitized: spaces and invalid symbols are replaced with underscores, and a leading underscore is added if the name would otherwise start with a digit or symbol.

How are NULL values represented?

A NULL value is written as a self-closing element, like <notes/>, rather than an empty open/close pair, keeping the output compact and unambiguous.

Can I convert multiple INSERT statements at once?

Yes. Paste any number of INSERT statements - whether they're multiple separate statements or one statement with many VALUES tuples - and all their rows are combined into a single XML document.