How can I view iTunes export playlist xml file in a readable format?

Please read this carefully before telling me what I already know (that it's a iTunes-only readable format, not meant to be viewed by me, etc.).

I exported several playlists to xml a short while ago. Since then, I have deleted the music off iTunes and my computer in order to make space (which is why I made the backup xml file in the first place, I thought I could extract all the information from that later). If I try to import the xml file through iTunes, it just tells me that there's music missing. NOT WHAT I NEED. I'm trying to find the exact playlist as it was at the time that I saved the file, in exact order, etc. Is there ANY kind of xml viewer that will allow me to see this in any user-friendly way without having to sort through layers and layers of nonsensical code?

And why doesn't iTunes make it easy for me to save a playlist in text format? Wouldn't that be be the most logical use of exporting playlists? I'm freaking out right now, knowing there's no conceivable way I will be able to recreate my playlists without the use of this file.

Thanks for anyone who can help.

iPhone 6, iOS 9.1, Windows 7, latest version of iTunes

Posted on Nov 24, 2015 8:10 PM

19 replies

budarc Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 27, 2015 8:11 PM in response to turingtest2

turingtest2 wrote:

Let's see how you get on with a single file. If it is too big then once I know how many track records are exported I can think of the best way to break up the output. The script is called TransformXML.vbs. Right-click on the link and use Download or Save As, save it in the same place as the XML file, then drag & drop the XML onto it. I've swapped the order of artist and album around in the output, and suppressed the listing of the whole library and the default music playlist.

tt2

THAT DID IT, MATE! 😀 Perfect! Exactly what I intended when I initially saved as "xml". HOLY CRAP, you're a genius! I can't thank you enough. 🙂 The single file output worked exactly as I needed and now I have all the information I need to recreate all my old music lists. I can also easily save the spreadsheet format to text format if I need to, too. So glad I ran into you, man. THANKS AGAIN! 😎

turingtest2 wrote:

External hard drives really aren't that expensive. You should have two, each large enough for your entire library with room for growth. See Make a split library portable and Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.

tt2

Hehe, I have about 12 externals! The problem is that I'm much more organized now than I was when I initially started adding music to iTunes years and years ago. Ideally, I would start a brand new library and add all my external music to iTunes from scratch and create all new playlists (especially now that I have a great way to backup all my old playlists, thanks to you!!!!!!)

turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

Nov 28, 2015 1:49 AM in response to budarc

🙂

tt2

kennem

Level 1

4 points

Nov 11, 2016 9:29 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks! Your vbs file was exactly what I needed. Thanks for posting.

turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

Nov 11, 2016 9:42 AM in response to kennem

You're welcome. 🙂 I'd completely forgotten about this particular script.

tt2

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How can I view iTunes export playlist xml file in a readable format?