Creating your own data files

To prepare your IATI data files, you can either:

• Use a publishing tool or service, or
• Build an automated system to generate XML from internal data.

The IATI Standard defines how to structure and format your data. You’ll need to create two types of data file: an Activity File and an Organisation File. See our Standard overview for details on what to include.

Checking your files before publishing

After creating your files, check for errors and preview how your data will appear to users.

• d-portal file checker - upload your IATI activity file to see a visualisation of the data.
• IATI Validator - use the validator to confirm that your files meet IATI rules.

Ensure your XML files are under 40MB. Larger files should be split - by country, region, or date - with each activity appearing in only one file.

Publishing your IATI files

Once your XML data files are prepared, upload them to an online location that is publicly accessible. This allows you to link to them from IATI Account.

IATI Account does not host your data—it provides links to where your data is stored, along with descriptions of the content. You can store your files on your own website, a server, or use a third-party hosting service.

Wherever you choose, your data must be openly accessible, without passwords or other access restrictions. Your organisation remains responsible for its own data.

Correcting and updating your files

If you discover an error in your published IATI files, you can correct it and republish the files. For organisations that publish in-house, errors often come from invalid data or incorrect XML formatting.

IATI reporting requires regular updates. When making changes, always update your existing files instead of creating new ones or deleting data. IATI tools will automatically detect and record your updates.

Removing your IATI files

If you need to remove your data for security or privacy reasons, please follow our Data removal guidance.