Markdown to XML Converter

About Markdown to XML Converter

Convert Markdown tables to well-formed XML (eXtensible Markup Language) documents. XML is a widely-used markup language for storing and transporting structured data, commonly used in web services, configuration files, and data exchange.

Key Features

• Customizable Structure: Define your own root and row element names
• XML Declaration: Optional XML version and encoding declaration
• Header Metadata: Include column definitions in header element
• Pretty Printing: Toggle between formatted and compact output
• Automatic Escaping: Properly escapes XML special characters
• Element Name Sanitization: Converts headers to valid XML element names
• Well-Formed Output: Generates valid, parseable XML documents
• File Upload & Download: Easy import/export

How to Use

1. Input Markdown Table: Paste your Markdown table or upload a .md file
2. Configure Structure: Set root and row element names
3. Choose Options: Toggle XML declaration, header metadata, and formatting
4. Review Output: The XML updates automatically
5. Copy or Download: Use the Copy button or download as .xml file

XML Structure Options

• Root Element: The outermost container element (default: "table")
• Row Element: The element wrapping each data row (default: "row")
• Column Elements: Automatically generated from table headers
• Header Metadata: Optional <header> section with column definitions

Example Conversion

Markdown Input:

| Name | Age | City | Department |
|------|-----|------|------------|
| John Doe | 28 | New York | Engineering |
| Jane Smith | 34 | London | Marketing |

XML Output (Pretty Printed):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<table>
  <header>
    <column name="Name" />
    <column name="Age" />
    <column name="City" />
    <column name="Department" />
  </header>
  <row>
    <name>John Doe</name>
    <age>28</age>
    <city>New York</city>
    <department>Engineering</department>
  </row>
  <row>
    <name>Jane Smith</name>
    <age>34</age>
    <city>London</city>
    <department>Marketing</department>
  </row>
</table>

Common Use Cases

• Web Services: Create XML for SOAP APIs and web services
• Configuration Files: Generate XML config files for applications
• Data Exchange: Export data for XML-based data interchange
• RSS/Atom Feeds: Create structured feed data
• XSLT Processing: Prepare data for XSLT transformations
• Database Import: Generate XML for database imports
• Document Processing: Create XML for document workflows

XML Standards Compliance

This converter generates XML that complies with:

• XML 1.0 specification
• UTF-8 encoding
• Well-formed document structure
• Proper character escaping
• Valid element naming conventions

Special Character Escaping

The converter automatically escapes XML special characters:

• & → &amp;
• < → &lt;
• > → &gt;
• " → &quot;
• ' → &apos;

Element Name Sanitization

Column headers are automatically converted to valid XML element names:

• Converted to lowercase
• Special characters replaced with underscores
• Must start with letter or underscore
• Can contain letters, digits, hyphens, underscores, periods
• Numbers at start are prefixed with underscore

XML Formatting Options

• Pretty Print: Indented, human-readable format with line breaks
• Compact: Minified format without whitespace (smaller file size)
• With Declaration: Includes <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
• Without Declaration: XML fragment without declaration

Advanced XML Features

• Namespaces: Can be added manually with xmlns attributes
• Attributes: Can be added to elements for metadata
• CDATA Sections: Can wrap content with <![CDATA[...]]>
• Processing Instructions: Can add custom processing instructions
• Comments: Can include XML comments

XML Validation

The generated XML can be validated using:

• Online XML validators
• XML Schema (XSD) validation
• DTD (Document Type Definition) validation
• Programming language XML parsers
• IDE XML validation tools

Markdown Table Support

Supports GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) table syntax:

• Pipe-delimited columns
• Header separator line with dashes
• Optional column alignment indicators
• Leading and trailing pipes

Tips for Best Results

• Use descriptive element names that match your data structure
• Enable pretty printing for human-readable output
• Include XML declaration for standalone documents
• Use header metadata for schema documentation
• Validate output with an XML parser before production use
• Consider adding namespaces for complex XML schemas
• Use compact format for smaller file sizes in production

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use this XML directly with my existing APIs or applications?

  Yes, as long as your APIs or applications accept well-formed XML. You may need to adjust element names, add namespaces, or wrap the generated XML inside a larger document structure to match your existing contracts.

• What happens if my headers contain spaces or special characters?

  Headers are sanitized into valid XML element names (lowercase, alphanumeric, underscores, and periods). The original header text is preserved only in the content; element names will be cleaned so they are always valid in XML.

• Can I add attributes or namespaces to elements?

  The converter focuses on generating clean, element-based XML. Attributes, namespaces (xmlns), and advanced XML constructs can be added manually in the output if your use case requires them.

• Does this tool support nested tables or merged cells?

  No. The converter assumes a simple, rectangular Markdown table. Nested tables, merged cells, or complex layouts are not supported and may not convert as expected.

• Is my Markdown or XML data stored anywhere?

  No. All processing happens locally in your browser. Your Markdown input and XML output are never sent to any server, ensuring your data remains private.

Privacy & Security

All conversions happen locally in your browser. Your Markdown data is never uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.