How to convert PDF to XML in a few steps

XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a markup language format just like HTML. This type of file was created to help you store and transport data and is usually used in website and database development. Like HTML, XML contains markup symbols that help you describe the contents of a page or file.

Almost every text editor designed for Windows allows you to read and edit XML files. For example, Windows' default tool - Notepad or Microsoft Word can be used to open this type of files. To import an XML file in Word, you need to load files with the following extensions: DOCX, DOCM, DOTX, or DOTM. By default, the documents you create in Word are saved in the XML format with an extension that attaches an "X" or an "M" to the filename extension ("X" is for files with no macro and "M" is for files that contain macros). After you import the XML files you wish to edit, you can start altering its contents from the chosen text editor.

There may be times when you would need to easily and quickly convert PDF documents to the aforementioned format. Unfortunately, Windows doesn't provide you with a default tool for completing this task. For this reason, various applications were created, feature-rich PDF readers or editors and programs specialized in converting PDFs to XML format.

You can also find online solutions for converting PDF documents to the XML format. They're as reliable as the following desktop solutions.

In this guide, I will show you how to convert your PDF files to the XML format in just a few steps by using the following apps: Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and PDF-to-XML.

Tutorial assets

You will need to download the following software to follow along with this tutorial:

Download PDF-to-XML

Converting PDFs to the XML format with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is one of the most popular applications that are specialized in handling PDF files. This feature-rich utility not only lets you read your PDF documents, but it also gives you access to a wide variety of editing options, allows you to export the PDFs to various formats, provides you with encryption solutions, enables you to share the imported files, and so much more. So, if you're the type of user who works with PDF files on a daily basis, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is the application for you.

There's also a basic version of the program that provides you with fewer features but comes without a price tag. It's an edition that's perfect for people who don't work with PDFs often and require a small amount of features like viewing and printing.

Here's what you need to do in order to convert your PDF files to the XML format:

Step 1

Download and install Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on your PC. Launch the utility.

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Step 2

Go to File -> Open and import the PDF document you wish to convert.

Step 3

Go to File -> Export To -> XML 1.0.

Step 4

Configure the output settings according to your needs (select encoding mode, image settings, destination folder, etc.) and click the "Save" button.

Configuring Output Settings In Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Converting PDFs to the XML format with PDF-to-XML

Unlike the aforementioned Windows utility, this program is specialized only in converting PDF documents to the XML format. This application enables you to add tags to the resulting files, offers you command line support, allows you to convert individual pages from the imported documents to the XML format, and so much more.

Here's what you need to do in order to convert your PDFs to the XML format:

Step 1

Download and install the app on your PC. Launch the program.

PDF-to-XML Welcome Screen

Step 2

Import your PDF file. Enter its password if the document is encrypted. Choose a destination folder for the resulting file.

Importing File In PDF-to-XML

Step 3

Configure the output settings according to your needs. Click the "Next" button.

Configuring Output Settings In PDF-to-XML

Step 4

The conversion process is complete. Press the "Finish" button. The app will shut down.

Optional: If needed, you can convert XML files to the PDF format by choosing one of the multitude of online services. There are plenty of websites that provide you with this feature and offer you the quality output files you need within moments. It's a free solution for converting XML files to the PDF format, without the need of installing additional third-party apps on your Windows PC.

Conclusion

Even though the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC app provides you with more features, the conversion from PDF to XML process is the same for both programs. And since Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is way more expensive than the second utility, I'd say PDF-to-XML seems a better choice. However, it's up to you to decide which of these 2 apps is the best for you based on your needs. Either way, they're both easy-to-configure and provide you high-quality output files.

Alternative downloads

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC free windows Free PDF reader that lets you open and print PDF documents. Download
Microsoft Office Excel $139.99 windows Take your skills to the next level with tables, formulas, formatting and more. Download
PDF-to-XML $29 windows Program to convert Adobe PDF documents into XML format. Download
XMLmind XML Editor $400 windows Strictly validating DocBook, DITA, MathML, XHTML and XML editor. Download