Numbers won't open my document it says The index.xml file is missing.

you should make sure you are using the correct version of Numbers to open a file. It is likely you have multiple versions installed and accidentally tried to open a file created with one version with an older version of Numbers.

launch Numbers first, then open the file from the File menu.

See this user tip:

Need newer version of Numbers to open file

Hi Greely,

The index.xml file is needed by Numbers '09 (Numbers 2), and is included in .numbers files created by that version.

The index.xml file is NOT needed by Numbers 3 or Numbers 4, nor is it included in .numbers files created by those versions.

The only time you will see 'the index.xml file is missing' is when Numbers '09 is attempting to open a .numbers file last modified and saved by a more recent version of Numbers (i.e. Numbers 3 or Numbers 4).

Locate the file in Finder. Right click (or control-click) on the file and choose Open with... Numbers 6.x.x.

In Sierra, this will be the default application to open .numbers files, BUT...

If Numbers '09 is running, and especially if Numbers 6 is not running, '09 will grab the file, attempt to open it, and present the message you saw.

Bring Numbers '09 to the front. Check the version by going to the Numbers menu and choosing About Numbers... (first item in the menu). If the splash screen that opens shows a purple ink pot and a fountain pen, and the Numbers version number is 2.x, Quit the application (command-Q, or Numbers (menu) > Quit Numbers.

A double click on a .numbers file should now launch Numbers 6.x.x, and open the file.

Regards,

Barry

MAKE CERTAIN YOU RUNNING NUMBER 4.x. select the menu item "Numbers > About Numbers" and not what version it is. If the version is NOT 4.x, quit Numbers and launch version 4.x. Carefully review the icons in the User Tip I provided earlier to help you identify which version you are running.

Sierra is the latest. Mavericks is at least 3 versions behind,