XML files on Excel for Mac 2019

Question

Spent a good hour investigating this....Windows version of Excel can import XML files and has an extensive list of "import files from other sources". Does this not exist on Excel for Mac?

If not, pretty lame Microsoft. I would expect feature PARITY between Windows and Mac versions of software, not some stripped down version.

If it does exist, lame Microsoft. Impossible to find this feature after an hour of searching.

Thanks for wasting my time Microsoft.

Answer 1

Hi robo2084,

I apologize for all the trouble it has caused and sorry about your time.

As per your description, the Import XML file to Excel feature is now available on Excel for Mac version 16.43, you can go Data>From Text and then choose the XML file.  You could go Excel>About Excel to check the version.

Additionally, here are some sources I found for your reference:

EXCEL For Mac needs a XML import data

Get & Transform (Power Query) in Excel for Mac - Phase 1

I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Best Regards

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 2

Hi Robo,

I suspect Waqas is just taking a wild guess. I would be surprised if you would be able to import a .xml data file using his method.

The code base of Excel for Mac and Windows is the same, but the interface on the Mac has yet to be fully completed. 

Meanwhile, you may be able to import using VBA by following these instructions. Be sure to use an actual Mac file path and defile the complete file path using correct delimiters for the Mac.

Answer 3

Thanks so much Jim for your reply.  It's helpful to also know that it's NOT a feature in the Mac Excel.

I wound up installing a Windows VM which seemed easier to get the proximate task done!

Now that I think about it, it's super logical that Microsoft still wouldn't have the Mac version of Excel at feature parity with Windows. After all, Excel was only released for the Mac in 1985. 35 years is not nearly enough time to get that XML importer working.  I'll look forward to the 2050 edition of Excel for the Mac when they get around to adding this. (After all, Microsoft only has $143 billion in annual revenue, so they have to be pretty careful what features they choose to invest in.... I could imagine it might take a developer a full day to get this going!)

Answer 4

Hi robo2084,

We appreciate that you spent your precious time doing those and shared updates with us. I do understand the inconvenience it has made and apologize for it.

As per your description, our team has limited resource on the function, could you please give feedback in Excel for Mac by clicking smile face at right top? Or to address your concern about the situation, kindly provide feedback to our UserVoice. These will promote the related team develop the function directly.

I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Best Regards

Waqas Muhammad