Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Problems when opening xml local file with firefox

  • 4 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 146 views
  • Last reply by MarkRH
  • Open

allisterthomas
allisterthomas

Sometimes I need to open XML files on my PC or in a network folder. If I open the file in the first tab in Firefox, it displays a neat and formatted rendering that makes it easier to read. However, if I open yet another tab, it displays a sequential text file that's difficult to read. How can I apply the style of the first tab to all open tabs? I've attached explanatory images (I hope). The second image shows how I'd like the XML file to always be displayed, regardless of the tab's position. Firefox 149.0.2 on windows 11

Sometimes I need to open XML files on my PC or in a network folder. If I open the file in the first tab in Firefox, it displays a neat and formatted rendering that makes it easier to read. However, if I open yet another tab, it displays a sequential text file that's difficult to read. How can I apply the style of the first tab to all open tabs? I've attached explanatory images (I hope). The second image shows how I'd like the XML file to always be displayed, regardless of the tab's position. Firefox 149.0.2 on windows 11
Attached screenshots

All Replies (4)

allisterthomas
allisterthomas Question owner

In both cases the file is opened with "Open with" from the right mouse button menu inside the file explorer view.

TyDraniu
TyDraniu
  • Top 10 Contributor

This first one doesn't look like a valid XML file. Paste it to https://reqbin.com/xml-parser and check if there are any errors.

allisterthomas
allisterthomas Question owner

In both images there is the exact same xml file which is also a perfectly and legitimately formatted file

MarkRH
MarkRH

I've encountered some extensions that mess with displaying XML files. Usually just a line of text displays or a complete blank page will show. In my main profile, it shows a blank white window. In a clean profile, it displays the XML like in your image.

In my main profile I installed Pretty XML https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/pretty-xml/ that will show the XML files regardless of what other extensions are installed. I only enable it when I need it since it also causes RSS feeds to also be rendered in XML.

I just checked and I can also get it to display in my main profile if I go to Help -> Troubleshoot Mode.. and then open the file there without all the other stuff loading.

Modified by MarkRH

Ask a question

You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.