XBRL / iXBRL to Excel: Extract Financial Data for Editing & Analysis
Why Convert XBRL to Excel?
XBRL / iXBRL is great for filing, but Excel is better for:
- Analyzing XBRL data trends (year-over-year)
- Making adjustments before re-filing XBRL accounts
- Sharing with auditors who prefer spreadsheets over XBRL files
How XBRL to Excel Conversion Works
An XBRL / iXBRL file contains tagged numbers. Conversion software extracts those numbers and their labels into Excel rows and columns – usually one sheet for the balance sheet, one for profit & loss, etc.
4 Ways to Convert iXBRL to Excel
Method 1: Use iXBRL Software with Export
QuickXBRL, IRIS, and Taxfiler have an “Export to Excel” button. Takes 5 seconds.
Method 2: Arelle (Free Open Source)
Download Arelle, open your iXBRL, go to Export → Excel. Free but requires installation.
Method 3: Online iXBRL to Excel Converters
Upload your file. Free for small files but check privacy.
Method 4: Copy-Paste from Browser (Manual)
Open iXBRL in browser, select tables, copy, paste into Excel. Works for simple accounts.
Best iXBRL to Excel Tools (2026)
| Tool | Cost | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| QuickXBRL | Paid | High |
| Arelle | Free | High |
| Online iXBRL Converter | Free (up to 5MB) | Medium |
| Manual copy-paste | Free | Low |
What to Do After Converting iXBRL to Excel
- Check that all numbers match the original filing
- Fix any broken formulas
- If you make changes, you’ll need to convert Excel back to iXBRL before re-filing
FAQ
Q: Can I convert iXBRL to Excel for free?
A: Yes, use Arelle or copy-paste from browser.
Q: Does Excel retain XBRL tags?
A: No. Excel has no tags. This is for human editing only.
Q: My iXBRL has many sheets – will they all export?
A: Good software exports each table as a separate Excel sheet.