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Checking XML exports

How to validate your XML files before sending

Geertje avatar
Written by Geertje
Updated over a month ago

After exporting an XML invoice from ABOSS, it’s important to check that the file is complete, correct, and accepted by the systems you need to send it to. This step helps prevent rejections or delays when dealing with government portals, clients, or accountants.


Table of Contents

1. Why checking XML matters
2. Opening and reviewing the file
3. Validating with external tools
4. Common issues to watch for


1. Why checking XML matters

XML invoices follow strict standards such as Peppol BIS v3, XRechnung, or Factur-X. Even if your PDF looks correct, missing or incorrect data in the XML may cause the invoice to be rejected. Checking your XML export ensures that the structured data matches your expectations.

2. Opening and reviewing the file

When you click Download XML, the file is downloaded to your computer. You can open it in any text editor to see the raw data. While it may look technical, you can still check key elements:

  • Company details (from your selected entity).

  • Client details and addresses.

  • Totals, VAT, WHT, and other financial fields.

  • Invoice lines and descriptions.

Compare these with the PDF preview to confirm they match.

3. Validating with external tools

Many governments, accounting systems, or Peppol access points provide free validation tools where you can upload your XML to check if it meets their requirements. If you are unsure, you can also send a test file to your accountant or client to confirm acceptance.

4. Common issues to watch for

  • Missing or incomplete entity details (company name, VAT, IBAN, etc.).

  • Incorrect or outdated template codes.

  • Totals or VAT not matching between the PDF and XML.

  • Wrong XML format selected for the entity.

If you run into issues or the process feels overwhelming, reach out to us via the support chat. We can review your setup and help you fix any errors.


Previous article: Generating XML downloads

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