Free e-invoice viewer

What is an e-invoice file?

An e-invoice is an invoice sent as data rather than as a page. Instead of a PDF, you get a file ending in .xml with every detail in its own labelled box: the invoice number, the buyer reference or purchase order number, your customer's VAT number, each line, the VAT rate and the total. The buyer's finance system reads it automatically, so nobody has to type it in.

That's great for software, but if you open one yourself it looks like a wall of code. This viewer turns it back into something you can read.

Why it matters for public sector suppliers

• Many public buyers already take them. Many public bodies, including NHS bodies, can already receive e-invoices over the Peppol network.
• The buyer reference is key. A Peppol e-invoice needs a buyer reference or purchase order number, and councils and NHS bodies usually won't pay without one. The viewer flags a missing one.
• More is coming. The Government plans to make e-invoicing mandatory for VAT invoices between businesses (B2B) and to the public sector (B2G) from 1 April 2029.

How to open an XML invoice

1. Save the file from the email, portal or software it came from.
2. Drop it on the box above, or press Choose a file. On a phone, choose it from your Files or Downloads.
3. Read the invoice, then press Print or save as PDF if you want a copy to file or forward.

You can also paste the XML straight in, or press Try an example to see how it works first.

What the viewer shows

• Whether it's an invoice or a credit note, its number, dates and any buyer or purchase order reference
• Who it's from and who it's to, with addresses, VAT numbers, company numbers and email addresses
• Each line with the quantity in plain words (hours, days, m², each), the price, the VAT rate and the amount
• A VAT breakdown by rate, including zero-rated, exempt, reverse charge and "not subject to VAT" lines, with the reason given
• Totals, the amount to pay, bank details and payment terms, and any notes

The basic checks

The viewer also looks for common problems: totals that don't add up, a missing buyer reference, no supplier VAT number on a VAT invoice, reverse charge without the customer's VAT number, and no due date or payment terms. These are simple checks only. They're not official Peppol validation, so a file can pass them and still be rejected by a buyer's system.

What's planned for 2029

At the Autumn Budget 2025 the Government announced plans to make e-invoicing mandatory for VAT invoices B2B and B2G from 1 April 2029. Peppol was confirmed as the network on 23 June 2026. The format is expected to be based on Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 and EN 16931, which is what this viewer reads, though the UK standard hasn't been published yet. A roadmap is expected at the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026, and it still needs legislation. Smaller businesses may be phased in later. Invoices to homeowners and private customers aren't included, and businesses that aren't VAT registered aren't expected to be covered.

Not sure it affects you? Try our e-invoicing checker or read the e-invoicing 2029 guide.

Questions