How to Open an XML Invoice on Mac Three ways to view Peppol and UBL invoices

You just received your first XML invoice. You double-click it, and instead of a readable invoice, you’re staring at a wall of angle brackets and code. Your Mac has no idea what to do with it.

You’re not alone. As e-invoicing becomes mandatory across Europe, millions of business owners are hitting this exact problem for the first time.

Here’s how to actually read that invoice.

Why your Mac can’t open XML invoices

Your Mac can technically open XML files — in a text editor. But what you’ll see is raw code:

<cbc:ID>INV-2026-001</cbc:ID>
<cbc:IssueDate>2026-02-13</cbc:IssueDate>
<cac:AccountingSupplierParty>
  <cac:Party>
    <cbc:Name>Acme BV</cbc:Name>
    ...

The invoice data is all there — supplier name, amounts, IBAN, line items — but it’s structured for software, not for human eyes. macOS doesn’t have a built-in viewer that can render this as a proper invoice.

That’s because XML invoices (also called Peppol invoices, UBL invoices, or e-invoices) are a relatively new standard. They’re designed to be processed automatically by accounting software, not opened manually like a PDF.

Method 1: Upload to a web viewer

The quickest option: upload your XML file to an online UBL or Peppol viewer.

How it works:

1. Go to an online UBL/Peppol viewer website
2. Upload your XML file
3. See a formatted invoice in your browser

The catch: Your invoice data — including supplier names, bank details, and amounts — gets sent to someone else’s server. For a single, non-sensitive invoice, that’s probably fine. For confidential business documents, think twice.

Verdict: Quick and free, but not ideal for privacy-sensitive invoices.

Method 2: Import into your accounting software

If you use accounting software that supports UBL or Peppol import, you can often import the XML file directly.

How it works:

1. Open your accounting software
2. Find the import function (usually under invoices or purchases)
3. Select your XML file

The catch: Not every accounting package supports UBL/Peppol import. And sometimes you just want to look at an invoice — check the amount, verify the details — without importing it into your accounting system.

Verdict: Works if your software supports it, but overkill when you just want to read the invoice.

Method 3: Use UBL Buddy

UBL Buddy turns your Mac into a Peppol invoice viewer. Double-click an XML file, and you see a clean, readable invoice — just like opening a PDF.

How it works:

1. Download UBL Buddy from the Mac App Store
2. Double-click any XML invoice file
3. See the full invoice: supplier, amounts, line items, payment details

What makes it different:

• Works offline — Your invoice data stays on your Mac. Nothing gets uploaded anywhere.
• Instant — No browser, no upload, no account needed. Just double-click.
• Also on iPhone and iPad — Open XML invoices from email attachments or Files on any Apple device.
• Pay directly — Scan the QR code or tap to open your banking app with the payment details pre-filled. (Pro feature)

The free version lets you open and view unlimited invoices. Pro (€14.99/year) adds payment features like QR codes and bank app integration.

Which method should you choose?

	Web viewer	Accounting software	UBL Buddy
Speed	Medium (upload required)	Slow (import process)	Instant (double-click)
Privacy	Data sent to server	Data in your system	Data stays on device
Cost	Free	Varies	Free (Pro: €14.99/yr)
iPhone/iPad	Browser only	App dependent	Native app
Best for	One-off viewing	Full accounting workflow	Daily invoice viewing

Frequently asked questions

Can I open an XML invoice in Preview or TextEdit?

TextEdit will show you the raw XML code, which isn’t very useful. Preview won’t open XML files at all. You need a dedicated viewer to see the invoice as a readable document.

Do XML invoices replace PDF invoices?

They’re starting to. The EU is rolling out e-invoicing mandates country by country. In some countries (like Italy), PDF-only invoices are already not valid for B2B transactions. Most businesses will need to handle both formats during the transition.

Can I convert an XML invoice to PDF?

Some tools let you convert XML invoices to PDF for printing or archiving. UBL Buddy lets you view the invoice directly without conversion — which is usually all you need.

Is it safe to open XML invoice files?

Yes. XML files are plain text data — they can’t contain viruses or malware the way executable files can. The data inside is just structured invoice information.

What about Windows?

UBL Buddy is currently available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. A Windows version is planned. In the meantime, web viewers work on any platform.