How to properly export XML to file using Powershell

Question

Importing any valid XML file as source using [XML]$Var = Get-Content -Path $PathToAnyValidXML I am unable to export it's content properly.

Using Set-Content SomePath $Var , the file ends with System.Xml.XmlDocument as content.

Using $Var | Export-Clixml SomePath , the file ends with the original XML inside an XML

What is a correct method to write raw XML to a file properly ? (Get the exact same content that was on $PathToAnyValidXML once it was imported to a variable on Powershell)

If we need to use XPath or Objects, provide example with both method if possible.

Hamza · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-20 16:55:52Z

32

Since you imported the file as an XML Object using [XML], to export it that way you should use the Save() Mathod.

$VAR.save("c:\works.xml")

I hope this helps

edited Nov 20, 2015 at 16:55

answered Nov 20, 2015 at 16:49

Hamza

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2 Comments

Магисья Темная Леди Over a year ago

I should have used Import-Clixml in the first place instead of get-content + [XML]$xxx to get the way I was doing it working, correct ?

Hamza Over a year ago

Sorry for the late answer, but yes you're right. import-clixml will import an XML object, that you can work with easily, get-content wont do that for you.

Farzad · Accepted Answer · 2018-06-07 14:25:40Z

4

I'm using PowerShell 5.1 with PowerShell Extensions (Pscx) installed, and a convenient way that I found is to do this:

$Var | Format-Xml | Out-File $file_path

edited Jun 7, 2018 at 14:25

answered May 11, 2018 at 16:49

Farzad

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2 Comments

Pac0 Over a year ago

using Powershell 5.1, and getting the error "Format-Xml" is not recognized ...

Farzad Over a year ago

Hey @Pac0, I'm sorry I didn't realize at the time, but Format-Xml comes from the PowerShell extensions module. I think it's a good idea to install them because they are very useful

majkinetor · Accepted Answer · 2025-06-03 11:14:11Z

1

$xml.OuterXml | Out-File test.xml

answered Jun 3 at 11:14

majkinetor

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Comments

Tim Ferrill · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-20 16:27:07Z

-5

Give `Out-File a try and see if that does what you're after.

$Var | Out-File SomePath

answered Nov 20, 2015 at 16:27

Tim Ferrill

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1 Comment

Ehtesh Choudhury Over a year ago

Out-File doesn't keep formatting on the xml, though.

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