XML consultants

Q: What does the XML node actually do in n8n?

It converts data between XML and JSON formats. You can feed it an XML string and it outputs structured JSON that other n8n nodes can process. Or you can give it JSON data and it generates valid XML output. This is essential when your workflow bridges systems that use different data formats.

Q: Can the XML node handle complex nested XML structures?

Yes. The node preserves the full hierarchy of XML elements, including nested children, attributes, text content, and CDATA sections. The resulting JSON mirrors the XML structure, so deeply nested elements become nested JSON objects. You can then use dot notation in downstream nodes to access specific values.

Q: What about XML attributes and namespaces?

Attributes are converted to JSON properties (typically prefixed with "$" or "@" depending on the parser settings). XML namespaces are preserved in the output. If you are working with SOAP APIs or government XML schemas that use namespaces extensively, the node handles these correctly.

Q: When would I use the XML node versus the HTTP Request node?

The HTTP Request node can fetch XML from an API, but it returns the raw XML string. You need the XML node to parse that string into usable JSON. A typical pattern is HTTP Request (to fetch the XML) followed by the XML node (to parse it), then your processing logic. They work together, not as alternatives.

Q: Can I generate XML with specific formatting requirements?

Yes. When converting JSON to XML, you can configure the root element name, XML declaration, and how attributes are handled. If you need to match a specific XML schema (for example, a government submission format or an EDI standard), you can structure your JSON to produce the exact XML output required.

Q: Does Osher work with XML-based integrations?

Frequently. We build n8n workflows that connect XML-based government APIs, financial data feeds, and legacy enterprise systems with modern JSON-based tools. A common project involves parsing XML data from a supplier portal, transforming it, and loading it into a client's database or CRM. Our n8n consulting team handles the schema mapping and format conversion.

We can help you automate your business with XML and hundreds of other systems to improve efficiency and productivity. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss implementing XML.

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About XML

The XML node in n8n converts data between XML and JSON formats inside your automation workflows. It can parse incoming XML strings into structured JSON that other n8n nodes can work with, and it can convert JSON data back into XML for systems that require it.

XML is still widely used in enterprise integrations, government APIs, SOAP web services, EDI transactions, and legacy system data exports. If your business receives XML files from suppliers, parses XML API responses from government services, or needs to submit data in XML format to compliance systems, this node handles the conversion without custom code.

The node operates in two modes. “XML to JSON” takes an XML string and produces a structured JSON object with all elements, attributes, and nested structures preserved. “JSON to XML” does the reverse, converting your JSON data into valid XML with configurable options for root element names, attribute handling, and declaration headers.

At Osher, we work with XML regularly in system integration projects, particularly when connecting modern APIs (which use JSON) to older enterprise systems (which expect XML). Government and financial services APIs in Australia often still return XML, and our automated data processing workflows handle the translation between formats so your team does not have to deal with raw XML manually.

XML FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about how XML consultants can help with integration and implementation

What does the XML node actually do in n8n?

Can the XML node handle complex nested XML structures?

What about XML attributes and namespaces?

When would I use the XML node versus the HTTP Request node?

Can I generate XML with specific formatting requirements?

Does Osher work with XML-based integrations?

How it works

We work hand-in-hand with you to implement XML

As XML consultants we work with you hand in hand build more efficient and effective operations. Here’s how we will work with you to automate your business and integrate XML with integrate and automate 800+ tools.

Step 1

Process Audit

We review the XML data sources and destinations in your business: API responses, file imports, EDI feeds, government submissions, and legacy system exports. We document the XML schemas involved, including element structures, attribute usage, and namespace requirements.

Step 2

Identify Automation Opportunities

We identify manual XML handling steps: people copying data from XML files into spreadsheets, manually reformatting XML for submission to compliance systems, or writing scripts to parse XML exports. Each manual step is a candidate for automation using the XML node.

Step 3

Design Workflows

We design n8n workflows with the XML node positioned at the right point: after HTTP Request nodes for API parsing, before output nodes for XML generation, or between transformation steps. We map the XML element paths to the JSON fields needed by downstream systems.

Step 4

Implementation

We configure the XML node with the correct parsing or generation settings, wire it into the workflow, and test with real XML samples from your systems. For JSON-to-XML conversion, we verify the output matches the required schema by validating against XSD files where available.

Step 5

Quality Assurance Review

We test with XML samples that include edge cases: empty elements, CDATA sections, special characters, mixed content, and large file sizes. We verify that the JSON output preserves all required data and that generated XML passes schema validation for the target system.

Step 6

Support and Maintenance

When XML schemas change (updated API versions, new compliance requirements, modified supplier formats), we update the workflow configurations and field mappings. We also monitor for parsing errors in production and address issues caused by unexpected XML structures.

Transform your business with XML

Unlock hidden efficiencies, reduce errors, and position your business for scalable growth. Contact us to arrange a no-obligation XML consultation.

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