XML to MT940 Converter: Complete Feature Guide & Reference
📋 Open the XML to MT940 Converter to try every feature described in this guide.
Open XML to MT940 Converter →Contents
What Is the XML to MT940 Converter?
The FinancialDataTools.com XML to MT940 Converter is a free, browser-based tool that transforms XML financial transaction data into valid SWIFT MT940 format. It processes your file entirely inside your browser tab — no file is ever transmitted to any server.
The converter is built for financial analysts, accountants, and developers who need to move transaction data from XML sources into MT940-compatible software — banks, accounting platforms, Quicken, and similar applications — without writing any conversion code.
Try the XML to MT940 Converter — runs entirely in your browser and never uploads your files.
Open the Converter →Supported Input Format
The converter accepts XML files containing financial transaction data. The expected structure is an array or list of transaction records, each with fields for date, amount, description, and an optional identifier.
Example input:
<transactions>
<transaction>
<date>2026-01-15</date>
<amount>-125.50</amount>
<description>Grocery Store</description>
<memo>Weekly shopping</memo>
<id>TXN001</id>
</transaction>
<transaction>
<date>2026-01-16</date>
<amount>2500.00</amount>
<description>Payroll</description>
<memo>January salary</memo>
<id>TXN002</id>
</transaction>
</transactions>
Field Mapping
The converter automatically maps common field name variations to their MT940 equivalents. You do not need to rename your fields before loading — the converter recognises aliases case-insensitively:
| Logical Field | Accepted Names | Description |
|---|---|---|
| date | date, dtposted, transaction_date, trans_date, posted_date, value_date | Transaction posting date |
| amount | amount, trnamt, transaction_amount, debit_credit, value | Transaction amount (negative = debit) |
| description | description, name, desc, payee, memo, narrative, reference, details | Payee name or transaction description |
| memo | memo, notes, note, reference, details, narrative | Extended memo or reference |
| id | id, fitid, transaction_id, trans_id, reference_id, txn_id, ref | Unique transaction identifier |
Note: Fields not in the mapping table are included in the source preview table but are not written to the MT940 output. Only transaction-relevant fields are used in the conversion.
The Toolbar
The toolbar across the top provides all primary actions:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Open | Opens a system file picker to select your XML file |
| File name display | Shows the name of the currently loaded file |
| Convert to MT940 | Converts the loaded data and renders the MT940 output |
| Export MT940 | Downloads the converted MT940 file; enabled only after conversion |
| Reset | Clears all state and returns the tool to its initial empty state |
You can also drag and drop a XML file onto the left (source) panel to load it.
Source Panel
The left panel is the source panel. Once you load a file, it renders a scrollable table preview showing your transaction records — field names in the header row, data rows below.
For very large files, the preview is capped at 500 rows. A notice confirms how many rows are previewed versus the total. The full dataset is still converted — the preview cap only affects the on-screen table, not the MT940 output.
Numeric cells are highlighted in blue and right-aligned. Empty or null cells display as NULL.
Output Panel
The right panel is the output panel. Before conversion it shows a placeholder. After you click Convert to MT940, the panel renders the full MT940 output as plain text so you can inspect it before downloading.
MT940 Output Structure
The output is a valid SWIFT MT940 statement file. Each transaction becomes a :61: value date line and a :86: narrative line.
The output is ready for import into financial software that accepts MT940 files. No post-processing is required.
Output File Naming
The downloaded MT940 file is named to match your input file. Only the extension is changed to .sta. A file named transactions.xml produces transactions.sta. This keeps your file set organised without requiring any manual renaming.
Exporting the MT940 File
After conversion, click the Export MT940 button in the toolbar. The browser downloads the file directly to your downloads folder. The Export MT940 button is disabled until a successful conversion has been completed.
Resetting for Another Conversion
The Reset button clears all state — the loaded file, the source preview, the MT940 output, and all status badges — and returns the tool to its initial empty state. You can also click Open again to load a new file without resetting.
Privacy & Security
The XML to MT940 Converter is built privacy-first. Your file is parsed and converted entirely inside your browser tab using JavaScript — no file content is ever transmitted to any server.
This makes the converter appropriate for sensitive financial data including bank transaction exports, payroll records, brokerage transaction history, and proprietary financial model outputs.
Closing the browser tab clears all data from memory immediately. No data is written to any persistent browser storage.
Use Cases
- Accounting software import: Convert XML transaction exports to MT940 for direct import into accounting platforms that accept MT940 files.
- Bank statement reconciliation: Transform XML transaction data into MT940 format for reconciliation tools and bank portals.
- Financial data migration: Move transaction history between systems by converting XML archives to the MT940 interchange format.
- Quicken and personal finance apps: Import MT940 files directly into Quicken, Banktivity, and similar personal finance applications.
- Audit trail preparation: Convert XML transaction records to MT940 for auditor review or compliance reporting.