# How can I convert WHO VA 2016 ODK v1.5.3 XLS into XML?

**URL:** <https://forum.getodk.org/t/how-can-i-convert-who-va-2016-odk-v1-5-3-xls-into-xml/32317>\
**Category:** Support\
**Tags:** odk-xlsform\
**Created:** [February 4, 2021, 10:19am UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/how-can-i-convert-who-va-2016-odk-v1-5-3-xls-into-xml/32317 "2021-02-04T10:19:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Siddique](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Siddique](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Siddique)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 10:19am UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/how-can-i-convert-who-va-2016-odk-v1-5-3-xls-into-xml/32317/1 "2021-02-04T10:19:05Z")

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We want to conduct a verbal autopsy using WHO adult VA updated tools in ODK. The current version of WHO adult verbal autopsy tools is v1.5.3. I have successfully converted VA ODK-XLS v1.4 into XML from online ([https://getodk.org/xlsform/](https://getodk.org/xlsform/)), and run in TAB successfully. However, I couldn't convert VA tools v1.5.3. It shows an error message "Error: File was not recognized". Would anyone please suggest how can I convert successfully?

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**Author:** ![aurdipas](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.getodk.org/aurdipas/32/1785_2.png) [@aurdipas](https://forum.getodk.org/u/aurdipas)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/how-can-i-convert-who-va-2016-odk-v1-5-3-xls-into-xml/32317/2 "2021-02-04T13:56:08Z")

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Dear @Siddique ,

Welcome to the forum. When you get a chance, please introduce yourself [here](https://forum.getodk.org/t/introduce-yourself-here/6671). I'd also encourage you to add a real picture as your avatar because it helps build community!

I'm the maintainer of the WHO VA questionnaire, can you exactly tell me what is the problem you encountered?  
I did convert successfully the tool 1.5.3 downloaded from the [who website](https://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/data/VerbalAutopsy/WHOVA2016-Instrument_Manual_and_Questionnaire.zip?ua=1&ua=1) through the [xlsform online](https://getodk.org/xlsform/)  
Can you add more details on the steps that you follow to get that problem?

PS: the WHO VA 2016 is as well available on [github](https://github.com/SwissTPH/WHO_VA_2016). There you can post issues directly related to the WHO VA instrument.

regards  
Aurelio

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**Author:** ![Siddique](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Siddique](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Siddique)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 2:28pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/how-can-i-convert-who-va-2016-odk-v1-5-3-xls-into-xml/32317/3 "2021-02-04T14:28:31Z")

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dear @aurdipas,  
Thank you very much for sharing the right ODK XLS file; I able to convert it successfully. Could you please share the VA adult questionnaire in pdf. I couldn't download it from WHO website as it fails always. Thank you once again.  
Regards  
Siddique

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**Author:** ![aurdipas](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.getodk.org/aurdipas/32/1785_2.png) [@aurdipas](https://forum.getodk.org/u/aurdipas)\
**Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/how-can-i-convert-who-va-2016-odk-v1-5-3-xls-into-xml/32317/4 "2021-02-04T14:48:45Z")

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VA adult questionnaire in pdf it doesn't exist for the 1.5.3. There's only the instrument manual

[WHOVA2016-1\_5\_3\_Instrument\_Manual\_and\_Questionnaire.zip](https://forum.getodk.org/uploads/short-url/4YsOnMnSCjoIyiwKfZDD8KaKy13.zip) (850.2 KB)