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XML to TSV Converter

Convert XML documents into tab-separated values. Paste XML with repeating row elements and get clean, TSV output with automatic row detection.

Category: data
Use Case: Data Export, Legacy System Migration, Spreadsheet Import
Privacy: 100% browser-based

Conversion Options

Recommended Settings

Pro Tips

  • The tool automatically detects which repeated element represents a 'row' - usually the most common child element under the root
  • Each row element's own child elements become TSV columns, named after their tag names
  • Tab characters and line breaks inside values are converted to spaces so they don't break the column structure
  • If rows have different sets of child elements, the TSV includes the union of all columns found
  • The whole document is parsed locally in your browser - nothing is uploaded anywhere

Most Popular

Most users paste an XML document with a <rows>/<row> or similar repeating structure and keep the header row enabled

When to Use This Tool

Data Export

Convert XML exports from legacy systems, APIs, or SOAP responses into TSV for spreadsheets or reporting tools.

Data with Embedded Commas

Use TSV instead of CSV when your XML data contains commas, since tabs are far less likely to appear inside field values.

Legacy System Migration

Extract tabular data from an XML-based system into TSV for import into a modern database or SaaS application.

Data Pipeline Compatibility

Convert XML into TSV for scripts and tools (in Python, R, or elsewhere) that expect tab-separated plain text.

How It Works

1

Parse the XML input using the browser's built-in DOMParser and validate it's well-formed

2

Detect the repeating 'row' element by finding the most common child element under the document root

3

Convert each row element's child elements into a flat record, keyed by tag name

4

Compute the union of all column names found across every row

5

Join columns with a tab character, replacing any literal tabs or line breaks inside values with spaces

100% Private

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

Lightning Fast

Powered by Browser DOMParser for optimal performance on modern browsers.

Secure

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the tool know which XML element represents a row?

It looks at the root element's children and finds the most common repeated tag name - for example, in <rows><row>...</row><row>...</row></rows>, each <row> becomes one TSV row. If there's a single wrapper element, it looks one level deeper automatically.

What if different rows have different fields?

The TSV includes the union of every column name found across all rows. Rows missing a particular field simply get an empty cell for that column.

Why use TSV instead of CSV?

TSV uses tabs as the column separator instead of commas, which avoids ambiguity when your XML data itself contains commas.

Is my XML uploaded to a server?

No. The entire document is parsed locally in your browser using the native DOMParser API. Your data never leaves your device.

What happens with invalid or malformed XML?

The tool validates the XML before converting and shows a clear error message if the document isn't well-formed, rather than producing incorrect output.