You can convert your Excel file to an XML data file, or vice versa. This enables you to exchange data between different applications. First, turn on the Developer tab.

Here’s the data we want to convert to an XML data file.

First, we will create a schema based on XML source data. The schema defines the structure of the XML file. We have to do this outside Excel.

1. For example, open Notepad and add the following lines.

Note: the tags refer to the column names, but you can give them any name you want! For example, instead of LastName use Name.

2. Save the file as schema.xml.

3. Open data-set.xlsx.

4. On the Developer tab, in the XML group, click Source to open the XML Source task pane.

5. To add an XML map, click XML Maps.

The XML Maps dialog box appears.

6. Click Add.

7. Select schema.xml and click OK twice.

8. Now simply drag (map) the 4 elements from the tree onto the worksheet (row 1).

9. On the Developer tab, in the XML group, click Export.

10. Save your file as data-set.xml and press Enter.

Result:

That saves quite a lot of time!

Note: to import an XML file, open a blank workbook, on the Developer tab, in the XML group, click Import, and select the XML file.