XML e-invoice to PDF: view and print it

How to turn an XML or .p7m e-invoice into a readable document and save it as a PDF, and where to find the attached courtesy copy.

Why the e-invoice is not a PDF

The e-invoice that is valid for tax purposes in Italy is the XML file transmitted through the Exchange System (Sistema di Interscambio, SdI). The PDF is only a readable representation: handy for filing, sending to your accountant or printing, but it does not replace the XML.

From XML to PDF

1. Open e-invoices.it and upload the .xml or .xml.p7m file.
2. Choose View and print: the invoice opens in a new tab, with header, line items, VAT summary and payment details.
3. From the browser menu choose Print and, as the printer, “Save as PDF”.

With several invoices at once you get a ZIP archive with one document per invoice.

The attached courtesy copy

Many suppliers also attach a PDF to the XML, the so-called courtesy copy, with the layout of their invoicing software. It is inside the XML file and you can't see it until it is extracted. With a single invoice you'll find it at the bottom of the readable invoice, ready to open or download. With several invoices choose Extract all attachments: you get a ZIP with all the PDFs.

Lots of invoices? An Excel file is better

To check or compare many invoices, one PDF each is not enough. The Excel summary puts all the invoices in a single sheet, one row per invoice, with separate sheets for line items, VAT summaries, payments and withholding tax. See also the guide to the bulk download to Excel.