The electronic structure of (Zn,Mn)O films with different Mn concentrations has been investigated by element-selective soft X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy. The band gap narrowing of (Zn,Mn)O with increase of Mn concentration (<20% Mn) is attributed to the Mn doping and sp-d exchange interactions. According to analysis of the O K alpha and resonant Mn L(2,3) X-ray emission spectra, the splitting of Mn 3d subbands is related to Mn-derived states. It indicates that ferromagnetic coupling in (Zn,Mn)O can be taken into account to be carrier-induced. The presence of antiferromagnetism in the heavier Mn-doped films can be explained in terms of the existence of MnO secondary phases. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.