CSV to XML Guide: Rows Become Records
Learn how proper CSV parsing, including quoted fields, maps rows to XML elements.
What is the CSV to XML Converter?
This tool parses CSV properly, so a quoted field containing a comma, such as a surname-first name, stays as one value, and doubled quotes inside a quoted field become a single quote. The first row supplies the element names for each column, cleaned into safe XML names, and every later row becomes one record element. You choose the root and record element names. Text is escaped for XML, and short rows are padded with empty elements.
How to use it
- Paste your CSV into the box.
- Set the root and record element names if you want different ones.
- Click Convert to XML and copy the result.
Worked example
For the sample, the two data rows become two row elements under rows, with the quoted name Smith, John kept as a single name element in the second record.
Why not just split on commas?
Because real CSV uses quotes to allow commas inside a field. Splitting naively would break names, addresses and descriptions that contain commas.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to a comma inside quotes?
It stays inside the field. Quoted cells are parsed as one value, so Smith, John remains a single name.
What if a header is not a valid XML name?
It is cleaned into a safe name, with spaces and punctuation replaced by underscores and a leading underscore added when needed.