How to Read an UBL/XML Invoice Easily
Decoding a not-so-readable format…
You receive an electronic invoice in UBL/XML format… and when you open it, you see a block of text that makes no sense? That’s normal: this file is designed for software, not for humans.
What’s inside a UBL file?
The UBL (Universal Business Language) format is structured like a data tree. It includes all the usual invoice details: supplier, customer, date, amount, VAT, line items and totals. But everything is encoded in a technical language called XML (Extensible Markup Language).
This kind of content is perfect for accounting software but nearly impossible for humans to interpret without the right tool. You can’t visualize the invoice clearly without reformatting it.
Why it’s unreadable without the right tool
Opening a UBL file in a basic text editor shows only nested tags — no layout, no structure, no clarity. Manually decoding it is tedious and error-prone.
Possible solutions
- Some ERP and accounting systems can import UBL files and extract the data.
- Others simply store the file without displaying it.
- Until recently, there was no easy way to view or print a UBL invoice without complex software.
How Facture PDF makes it simple
Facture PDF makes the UBL format accessible to everyone. The app instantly opens the file, detects the key data (supplier, customer, amounts, VAT) and displays it in a clear, human-friendly layout. With one tap, it generates a printable PDF that looks like a standard invoice.
All processing happens locally on the device — no internet connection, no ads, no subscription.
Conclusion
UBL isn’t a problem — it’s a step toward smoother, interoperable invoicing. You just need the right tool to make it readable.
That’s exactly what Facture PDF offers: the simplicity of paper, the reliability of digital.
Try it now
Launch price: €4,99 (instead of €19,99)