# Opening a Spread XML File

Learn how you can open a Spread XML file or stream of an entire component or a specific sheet. Learn more in documentation.

## Content

Spread can save data or data and formatting to an XML file or a stream, which you can then open back into the FpSpread component. You can open a Spread XML file or stream of an entire component or a specific sheet.
You can also open a file from inside Spread Designer.
Refer to the SheetView class [Open](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.SheetView.Open.html) method to open a specific sheet. Use the FpSpread [Open](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.FpSpread.Open.html) method to open the entire control.
For instructions for saving Spread XML files, see [Saving to a Spread XML File](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-asp/overview/spweb-devguide/spweb-fileops/spweb-filesave/spweb-filesavespread).

## Using Code

Use the FpSpread component’s [Open](/spreadnet/api/latest/online-asp/FarPoint.Web.Spread/FarPoint.Web.Spread.FpSpread.Open.html) method, specifying the path and file name of the Spread XML file to open or the Stream object to open.

## Example

This example code opens an existing Spread-compatible XML file.

```csharp
// Open a Spread-compatible XML file.
FpSpread1.Open("c:\spreadfile");
```

```vbnet
' Open a Spread-compatible XML file.
FpSpread1.Open("c:\spreadfile")
```

## Using the Spread Designer

1. Select the **File** menu.
2. Choose the **Open** option.
3. The **Open** dialog appears.
4. Change the Files of type box to Spread files (\*.XML).
5. Specify the path and file name of the file to open, and then click **Open**.
6. Click **OK** to close the Spread Designer.