If you are a VAT number holder you have already had to deal with files with extensions xml or xml.p7m, that is the formats with which electronic invoices are generated for our services or for the sale of the goods produced. These files are not natively managed by Windows, Mac and smartphone, so we will necessarily have to use a specific program, a website or an app to be able to view them correctly. In this guide we decided to collect all the free tools to open xml.p7m and xml files on any device, so that we can check if the data entered is correct and can be cataloged.
Many of the tools that we are going to recommend also allow the conversion of electronic invoices to PDF, a format much simpler to manage and share.
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What are xml and xml.p7m
Electronic invoices are delivered to us in the two formats that we have already got to know in the introduction:- .xml
- .xml.p7m
The .xml files constitute the actual electronic invoice; the operating system will unfortunately see them as simple Web files, so we will not be able to correctly interpret the invoice without the aid of a program.
The .xml.p7m files are instead digitally signed electronic invoices, which cannot be opened normally without the help of digital signature management programs (with the same mechanism as PECs).
In the guide we will show you how to open both formats, so you can manage any type of electronic invoicing.
How to open xml or xml.p7m files on PC
If we have a computer with a Windows operating system, we can open xml files using the free View Electronic Invoice program, available in the Microsoft Store.
Once this program is installed on our computer, simply drag the xml file into the interface or use the folder-shaped button (on the right) to open the file manager and search for the invoice to be displayed. The program is light, simple to use and full of functions, since it also allows you to open some of the digitally signed files (i.e. xml.p7m).
A cross-platform solution (compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac) to open xml files can be obtained by downloading the AssoInvoice program.
This program looks like a real "invoice calendar": by positioning all the invoices in a folder, we will be able to open the folder directly and order the invoices by day, month and year, so as to view them in a precise chronological order. The display of invoices is very good, as are the tools offered to be able to print and manage all the electronic invoices in our possession.
The program is made in Java: it will work natively on Mac and Linux, while on Windows we will have to install the Java environment (the AssoInvoice installer will allow you to fix it immediately, installing the Java environment first, so as not to have to download additional installers) .
These programs, which have printing capabilities, we can always add a virtual PDF printer, so as to convert electronic invoices on the fly into Adobe format; in this regard we can read our guide to the best virtual printers to create pdf from documents and web pages .
How to open xml or xml.p7m files online
If we do not want or cannot use any program on our computer (in the case of corporate computers it is difficult to install new software), we can always open xml or xml.p7m files using websites for the management and conversion of electronic invoices to PDF .One of the best sites we recommend trying is LaMiaFattura.cloud.
The site allows you to quickly load our xml or xml.p7m files directly within the interface (alternatively we can use the Select button), to check the content of the uploaded file and finally to download it in PDF format, simply by pressing the button PDF download .
Another very useful site to be able to open xml or xml.p7m files is xmlpatopdf.
Using this site is very simple: we click on the Click button to load your XML, we select the electronic invoice to be converted then we choose the conversion format (we recommend PDF for maximum compatibility). Once the format has been chosen, all we have to do is click on Convert, in order to start the conversion and download of the new invoice.
Another very good site for opening xml or xml.p7m files is MKT.
With this site we can convert our electronic invoice to PDF, simply by dragging the file into the site interface (alternatively we can always use the Choose file button), choosing the PDF model to be used, solving the CAPTCHA and finally clicking on the Convert FREE button.
In a few seconds the download of our invoice will start, which will be available in PDF format (much more comfortable to view and manage).
How to open xml or xml.p7m files on smartphones
On smartphones, the reference app to be able to open electronic invoices is FatturAE, the app provided free of charge by the Inland Revenue for Android and iOS.
Once the app is installed we will have to log in with the credentials (Fisconline, SPID or Entratel) associated with a VAT number, so that you can easily manage all electronic invoices without problems, just use the Open invoice button.
On Android, as a valid alternative to the app provided by the Revenue Agency, we can also use the free Electronic Invoice Reader app.
With this app we will be able to open xml files without having to log in, we will only have to load the invoice inside the app and choose the type of visualization (we recommend the PDF format). Using this app we will also be able to quickly print our invoice, thanks to the integration with the Android printing system (which also allows you to save in PDF format).
How to open xml.p7m files
The xml.p7m files are signed, so not all the programs and apps that we have previously reported to you will be able to manage them correctly (depends on the type of signature associated). If we still have difficulty opening invoices in xml.p7m format, we install the free program ArubaSign for Windows on our computer with Windows or Mac operating system ( Software section -> ArubaSign signature software ).
With this program we can easily open all electronic invoices in xml.p7m format, even if we do not have any associated Aruba account. Once installed it will automatically associate itself with the xml.p7m files, we will only have to double-click on our invoice (alternatively we can always drag it into the program window), preview the document and then click on the document just loaded in the Select documents section, so you can use the Save document button at the top. The program will generate a simple XML file with the associated invoice, so that it can be opened without problems with the programs, sites and apps that we have shown you previously.
Conclusions
Managing digital invoices in xml or xml.p7m format is all in all very simple, just equip us with the right programs and use websites if necessary to be able to convert invoices into PDF format (much easier to manage and share).
If we are looking for other programs to generate and manage our company's invoices, we can refer to our guide to free and complete Electronic Invoice Programs .
If, on the other hand, we need a much more complex program, capable of operating as a management system, we advise you to read our guide to free management systems and accounting programs, personal or for companies .
