ESX File Validator

For .esx uploads it verifies the file structure: the archive format, the required document member, and the payload structure. For pasted XML it validates the full XACTDOC structure: root element, required sections (PROJECT_INFO, CLAIM_INFO, SALESTAXES, EMBEDDED_PL), numeric lastCalcGrandTotal, CAT|SEL code shape on every line item, and SEL codes containing characters outside the Xactimate charset — which Xactimate rejects on import with "Invalid file format".

Xactimate rejects ESX files whose SEL codes contain characters outside the charset Xactimate project files use (A-Z a-z 0-9 # + . / -). Corrupted catalog data can leak entity characters into codes — one polluted catalog snapshot carried hundreds of SEL variants with stray ">" characters (for example APP|CKIT> and RFG|ARMV>>), up to four arrows deep. The validator scans every SEL code for this pattern and reports it as a blocking error.

No — the validator runs entirely in your browser and checks the file and document structure without unpacking the estimate payload. For deep schema validation, open the file with your own tooling and paste the resulting XACTDOC.XML, or paste plain XML from tools that export readable XML.

Yes. It is a free tool from ESXPress with no signup and no conversion quota. Validation runs entirely in your browser — your file never leaves your machine.

An ESX file is Xactimate's native project file format: it holds the full estimate — line items, groups/folders, CAT|SEL codes, quantities, prices, notes, and metadata. Import it into Xactimate and it reprices against the loaded price list. Read the complete guide.