XML Hacks

Create an XML Document from a CSV File

Want to go from CSV to XML? Use Dave Pawson’s CSVToXML tool to convert CSV files to XML with Java.

Dave Pawson’s CSVToXML translator converts comma-separated value (CSV) files to XML. CSV is a reliable, plain-text file format for the storing the output of a spreadsheet or database.

Suppose you are running Excel 2000 and you want to convert a file, inventory.xls, to XML (see Figure 2-24). Unfortunately, you haven’t been able to talk your boss into buying Excel 2003 yet, which could easily output the spreadsheet as XML. Luckily, there is a workaround.

Figure 2-24. inventory.xls in Excel 2000

Save the file as CSV by choosing File → Save As and selecting a CSV file format in the “Save as type” pull-down box. Navigate to the working directory where the other files from this book are, enter the name inventory.csv in the File name text box, and then click the Save button. The CSV file will appear as follows:

line,desc,quan,date 1,Oak chairs,6,31-Dec-04 2,Dining tables,1,31-Dec-04 3,Folding chairs,4,29-Dec-04 4,Couch,1,31-Dec-04 5,Overstuffed chair,1,30-Dec-04 6,Ottoman,1,31-Dec-04 7,Floor lamp,1,20-Dec-04 8,Oak bookshelves,1,31-Dec-04 9,Computer desk,1,31-Dec-04 10,Folding tables,3,31-Dec-04 11,Oak writing desk,1,28-Dec-04 12,Table lamps,5,26-Dec-04 13,Pine night tables,3,26-Dec-04 14,Oak dresser,1,30-Dec-04 15,Pine dressers,1,31-Dec-04 16,Pine armoire,1,31-Dec-04 ...