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How to Export an Access Table to XML Using VBA

Amos Gikunda Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to programmatically export a Microsoft Access table to an XML file format using a VBA macro.

How to Export an Access Table to XML Using VBA

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting database tables to an XML format for data interchange, storage, or integration with other systems.
Observed behavior: Attempting to use the DoCmd.TransferText method fails for XML exports because that specific command only supports standard text and CSV file formats.

Before you start

Ensure you have the correct write permissions for the destination folder path in your VBA script to prevent runtime errors during the XML export.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Application.ExportXML Method

The recommended approach for exporting a single Access table directly to an XML file using a VBA macro.

The Application.ExportXML method is specifically designed for XML generation and requires explicit object, source, and destination arguments to function correctly.

Open the VBA Editor

Open your Microsoft Access database and press ALT + F11 to launch the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Editor.

Insert a new Module

Click 'Insert' from the top menu and select 'Module' to create a new script, or open an existing macro where you want to add the export functionality.

Enter the ExportXML code

Enter the following command: Application.ExportXML ObjectType:=acExportTable, DataSource:="AutoSysTabell", DataTarget:="C:\Autosys\AutosysXML-Melding.xml"

Run the macro

Modify the DataSource table name and the DataTarget file path to match your specific database and desired folder location, then click the 'Run' button (or press F5) to generate the XML file.

Syntax Tip: Always explicitly name your arguments (ObjectType, DataSource, DataTarget) when using Application.ExportXML to ensure the code remains readable and less prone to parameter sequence errors.

Solution 2

Export Multiple Related Tables Using AdditionalData

Use this advanced method when you need to include related database tables in the same XML export file.

Solution 3

Use the DoCmd.ExportXML Method

A simplified alternative command that achieves the same XML export result for standard database tables.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does DoCmd.TransferText fail when exporting to XML?

The DoCmd.TransferText method is specifically designed for exporting to plain text files (.txt) and CSV files. To handle the structured tags and data formatting required by XML files, MS Access VBA strictly requires the ExportXML method instead.

Can I export MS Access forms or queries to XML using VBA?

Yes. You can change the ObjectType argument in the ExportXML method. Instead of acExportTable, you can specify acExportQuery, acExportForm, or acExportReport depending on the database object you want to export.

What is the purpose of the AdditionalData object in ExportXML?

The AdditionalData object allows you to append data from multiple related tables into a single XML export file. This is critical for preserving your database's relational structures (like parent-child table linkages) when exporting data for use in external applications.

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