Free online NWCTXT to MXL converter

When a notation app accepts MusicXML but not NoteWorthy Composer files, an NWCTXT score needs conversion before it can be imported. MXL packages MusicXML in a compressed file for sharing and use in compatible notation software.

What NWCTXT is

NWCTXT is the plain-text score format used by NoteWorthy Composer (NWC), a music-notation program for Windows. You may encounter it when a score has been exported or saved as a text file; it represents notation data rather than recorded audio.

What MXL is

MXL is the compressed form of MusicXML, a notation interchange format supported by many score-editing programs. It is useful when another application, publisher, or collaborator requests MusicXML; compression makes the package smaller than an uncompressed MusicXML file.

How to convert NWCTXT to MXL

Online on 101convert.com

1. Upload the NWCTXT file on the converter page. Several files can be added for batch conversion; the page shows the per-file size limit.
2. Start the conversion. The page’s converter uses nwc2xml.
3. Download the resulting MXL file.

Offline with desktop software

Use a local copy of nwc2xml to convert the NWCTXT file to uncompressed MusicXML, then use MuseScore to create the MXL package. MuseScore is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

1. Run nwc2xml on the input NWCTXT file and specify an output MusicXML file, using the command syntax provided with your copy of the utility.
2. Open the generated MusicXML file in MuseScore. Choose File → Save As and select compressed MusicXML (.mxl) as the output format.

Quality and compatibility

Conversion transfers notation data, not a fixed page image. Check the MXL in the target program for changes to spacing, page breaks, fonts, or NWC-specific markings that may not have an equivalent in MusicXML.