# Which is the best way to make config file?

Xml or Excel which is the best approach for making config file.

##### Post Metadata
- Posted at: over 6 years ago
- Author title: I am SR.RPA-Automation Anywhere developer.
- Net upvotes: 1


## Comments
### Comment 1

Our company uses an XML file with our 3 environments listed, then having any additional values listed below. This is stored on our network location and read into the BOT so whoever has network privileges can edit the values without having to make changes to the code. 

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 6 years ago
- Author title: Senior RPA Developer at Protective Life, Corp
- Net upvotes: 1


### Comment 2

While SQL is a great answer most of the time, the purpose of a config file is for people to be able to change the values easily. Most of the time, not that many people have access to SQL. If this is a good answer for you, then that is the best answer. You have to decide. 

The better way to go than Excel would be a .csv file. Your users can open is 'like' and Excel file so it can be familiar, but contrary to having to OPEN and xlsx, AA can read from a csv without opening it. It is MUCH faster to work with.

I think what you are seeing here is that there is NOT a 'BEST' way to do anything, because what is best for my company may not work at all for your company. Good idea to see what others are doing, but be open to ideas and try them out and see what works for you.

Good luck.

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 6 years ago
- Author title: Senior RPA Developer at Protective Life, Corp



### Comment 3

I would suggest to use sql database table instead of XML or Excel, however if your team is comfortable with XML than XML always better than Excel. 
 AA RPA XML command extract the configuration data without opening any UI and RPA excel command first open the excel file UI and read the data.
I hope this will help.

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 6 years ago



### Comment 4

The proper way is really what is best for your needs. If your team is used to working with XML, then use that. If your users that may be manipulating the config file to achieve the results they need and are used to excel, that may be the way to go. However, if your users are comfortable with xml and how to edit a file and adjust/not-adjust etc... the data then go with that one. 

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 6 years ago
- Author title: Manager, Robotic Process Automation at Celerity IT LLC



### Comment 5

The best way to have configuration file is that to bring the data available in configuration into Dictionary. This way you can easily accessible to data present in configuration file and can make changes frequently in configuration File.

##### Comment Metadata
- Posted at: over 6 years ago
- Author title: HCL Technologies


#### Reply 1

Please, any example to Read XML file into Dictionary Please.

##### Reply Metadata
- Posted at: almost 6 years ago



## Related Product
[Automation Anywhere Agentic Process Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/automation-anywhere-agentic-process-automation/reviews)

## Related Category
[AI Orchestration](https://www.g2.com/categories/ai-orchestration)

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