How to load XML from a file (LINQ to XML)

This article shows how to load XML from a file in C# and Visual Basic using the XElement.Load method.

Example: Load XML document from a file

The following example shows how to load an XML document from a file by providing XElement.Load with the URI that references the file. The example loads books.xml and outputs the XML tree to the console.

The contents of books.xml are shown in Sample XML file: Books.

XElement booksFromFile = XElement.Load(@"books.xml");
Console.WriteLine(booksFromFile);

This example produces the following output:

<Catalog>
  <Book id="bk101">
    <Author>Garghentini, Davide</Author>
    <Title>XML Developer's Guide</Title>
    <Genre>Computer</Genre>
    <Price>44.95</Price>
    <PublishDate>2000-10-01</PublishDate>
    <Description>An in-depth look at creating applications
      with XML.</Description>
  </Book>
  <Book id="bk102">
    <Author>Garcia, Debra</Author>
    <Title>Midnight Rain</Title>
    <Genre>Fantasy</Genre>
    <Price>5.95</Price>
    <PublishDate>2000-12-16</PublishDate>
    <Description>A former architect battles corporate zombies,
      an evil sorceress, and her own childhood to become queen
      of the world.</Description>
  </Book>
</Catalog>