How do I extract the XML from a ZUGFeRD or Factur-X PDF?

Drop the PDF into this viewer. It finds the embedded invoice file (usually factur-x.xml or zugferd-invoice.xml), shows the invoice, and the Download extracted XML button saves the XML to your device.

Why does it say no embedded XML was found?

The PDF is probably an ordinary PDF, for example a scan or a document exported from Word. Only real ZUGFeRD / Factur-X files have the invoice XML inside. Ask the sender for the XML or a hybrid PDF.

What is the difference between ZUGFeRD and Factur-X?

They are technically the same format, developed jointly by German and French organisations: a PDF/A-3 file with a CII XML invoice attached. ZUGFeRD is the name used in Germany, Factur-X in France.

Is a ZUGFeRD invoice a valid e-invoice in Germany?

ZUGFeRD profiles from EN 16931 upwards are generally accepted as e-invoices in Germany, while the MINIMUM and BASIC WL profiles are not. Check the current guidance from the German Federal Ministry of Finance for your case.

Does the tool check PDF/A-3 conformance?

No. It reads the embedded XML and runs quick checks on the invoice data. It does not test whether the PDF itself conforms to PDF/A-3.

Can I try it without my own PDF?

Yes. Click ZUGFeRD / Factur-X PDF under Try with a sample. A small demo PDF with an attached factur-x.xml is built in your browser and opened, so you can see the extraction work.

ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer

Open ZUGFeRD and Factur-X PDF invoices, extract the embedded XML and read it as an invoice. Free and private in your browser.

100% Client-Side Privacy: No Server Uploads

Invoice parsing and the displayed checks run in your browser without uploading invoice contents. These checks do not establish official Peppol or XRechnung conformance. Site analytics and asset requests are separate from document processing.

Drop your ZUGFeRD or Factur-X PDF (or its XML) here

The embedded factur-x.xml / zugferd-invoice.xml is found and extracted in your browser

Try with a sample:Download sample Peppol XML

No invoice loaded yet

Drop any UBL XML (Invoice or CreditNote), XRechnung (CrossIndustryInvoice), or ZUGFeRD / Factur-X PDF invoice above to view it instantly.

What is the ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer?

The ToolsWebPro ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer opens hybrid PDF invoices, finds the XML invoice embedded inside the PDF (such as factur-x.xml or zugferd-invoice.xml), shows it as a readable invoice and lets you download the extracted XML. It runs in your browser, so the PDF is not uploaded. It cannot pull invoice data out of an ordinary PDF that has no XML attached.

Supported formats

ZUGFeRD 2.x hybrid PDF (embedded CII XML)
Factur-X hybrid PDF (embedded factur-x.xml)
PDFs with an embedded XRechnung or UBL invoice
Also plain CII / UBL .xml files
Output: readable invoice, extracted XML download, PDF copy

Privacy and processing

Everything runs in your browser. The file is read with JavaScript on your device and is never uploaded to ToolsWebPro or anyone else, so you can open invoices that contain bank details and prices without sending them to a third-party service.

How to use ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer

1Drop the ZUGFeRD or Factur-X PDF on the upload area (or click Try with a sample to build a demo PDF in your browser).
2The viewer searches the PDF's embedded files for factur-x.xml, zugferd-invoice.xml or xrechnung.xml and, if needed, scans the PDF streams for invoice XML.
3The extracted XML is shown as a readable invoice. Use Raw XML to see the tags, and compare the data with the visible PDF.
4Click Download extracted XML to save the XML file for your accounting software, or Print / Save to PDF for a clean copy.

What you can do

XML extraction from PDF
Finds the invoice XML attached to a hybrid PDF/A-3 file and lets you download it.
Works for ZUGFeRD 2.x, Factur-X and XRechnung attachments
Any CII (or UBL) invoice XML embedded in the PDF is parsed.
Compare picture and data
The PDF page is what a human reads, the XML is what software books. The viewer shows you the XML side.
Clear message for ordinary PDFs
If no invoice XML is inside, you are told so instead of getting a blank screen.

When this tool helps

Accounts payable

Pull the XML out of a supplier's ZUGFeRD PDF to import it into accounting software that only accepts XML.

Checking a hybrid invoice

See whether the amounts in the embedded XML match what the PDF page shows.

French and German SMEs

Read Factur-X and ZUGFeRD invoices without Adobe attachments panels or paid tools.

About ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer

ZUGFeRD (Germany) and Factur-X (France) are the same idea: a normal PDF invoice that people can read, with the machine-readable invoice attached inside as an XML file in UN/CEFACT CII syntax. Most PDF readers hide that attachment, so you see the page but not the data. The ToolsWebPro ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer opens the PDF in your browser with pdf-lib, looks for the embedded invoice file (factur-x.xml, zugferd-invoice.xml or xrechnung.xml), decompresses it, and renders the invoice. You can then download the extracted XML. It cannot create XML from an ordinary PDF: a scanned or Word-made PDF has no invoice data to extract. It also does not check PDF/A-3 conformance. To read plain XML files, use the XRechnung Viewer or the PEPPOL Invoice Viewer.

Drop a ZUGFeRD or Factur-X hybrid PDF to find the invoice XML embedded inside it, see it as a readable invoice, and download the extracted XML for your accounting software. Works with ZUGFeRD 2.x, Factur-X and embedded XRechnung files, all in your browser.

ToolsWebPro provides this tool free with no account required. Each tool explains its supported formats, processing limits and privacy behavior.

Frequently asked questions

How do I extract the XML from a ZUGFeRD or Factur-X PDF?: Drop the PDF into this viewer. It finds the embedded invoice file (usually factur-x.xml or zugferd-invoice.xml), shows the invoice, and the Download extracted XML button saves the XML to your device.
Why does it say no embedded XML was found?: The PDF is probably an ordinary PDF, for example a scan or a document exported from Word. Only real ZUGFeRD / Factur-X files have the invoice XML inside. Ask the sender for the XML or a hybrid PDF.
What is the difference between ZUGFeRD and Factur-X?: They are technically the same format, developed jointly by German and French organisations: a PDF/A-3 file with a CII XML invoice attached. ZUGFeRD is the name used in Germany, Factur-X in France.
Is a ZUGFeRD invoice a valid e-invoice in Germany?: ZUGFeRD profiles from EN 16931 upwards are generally accepted as e-invoices in Germany, while the MINIMUM and BASIC WL profiles are not. Check the current guidance from the German Federal Ministry of Finance for your case.
Does the tool check PDF/A-3 conformance?: No. It reads the embedded XML and runs quick checks on the invoice data. It does not test whether the PDF itself conforms to PDF/A-3.
Can I try it without my own PDF?: Yes. Click ZUGFeRD / Factur-X PDF under Try with a sample. A small demo PDF with an attached factur-x.xml is built in your browser and opened, so you can see the extraction work.

Step-by-step tutorials and troubleshooting written for this tool.

View all guides →

More free tools on ToolsWebPro — including companions that pair well with ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer.

View all invoice, tax, contact & calendar tools →

What is the ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer?

Supported formats

Privacy and processing

How to use ZUGFeRD / Factur-X Viewer

What you can do

XML extraction from PDF

Works for ZUGFeRD 2.x, Factur-X and XRechnung attachments

Compare picture and data

Clear message for ordinary PDFs