XPath examples

XPath is a query language that is used for traversing through an XML document. It is used commonly to search particular elements or attributes with matching patterns.

The best way to understand the power of XPath is to use examples and practice. On the left panel you will find some examples and on the right panel you will find an input items.xml file and the result of an XPath execution.

Before starting a reminder on the difference between element and attribute in an xml file.

Input file

We will use this XML file as input:

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

XPath examples

1. The simplest XPath

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

Explanations

/ means root. So it will copy the input file.

2. Select the content of element `Table`

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

Explanations

Elements are accessible with the name of the element. XPath are case sensitive. This produce the same result as before because Table is the root elememnt.

3. Get the value of the attribute key of the element `Table`

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/@key

xml

PRODUCTS

Explanations

Attributes are accessible with @ + the name of the attribute

4. List all elements `Item`

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ARCHIVED">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
</Item>         
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

Here we use an aboslute path. / at the begining indicates it's an absolute path. If you are already familiar with xpath, you have heard that in this example you can also use the xpath //Item as a quicker xpath. Even it's true, this is not a best practice and has really poor performances. Do not use this shortcut.

5. List all elements `Identifier`

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item/Identifier

xml

<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
<Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
<Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
<Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
<Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
<Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>

Explanations

If we want only the identifiers that match a condition, for example: where the key is ean, then we have to use predicates.

6. List all elements Identifier where attribute `key` is EAN_13

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item/Identifier[@key='EAN_13']

xml

<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>

Explanations

[@key='EAN_13'] is called a predicate. Predicate refers to the XPath expression written in square brackets. It allows to refers some condition. If we want the values, we have to add a function at the end of the XPath, see the next example.

7. List all elements Identifier values where attribute `key` is EAN_13

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item/Identifier[@key='EAN_13']/string()

xml

1234567890123
1234567890124
1234567890125
1234567890126
1234567890127

Explanations

string() is a function to force the result to be a string.

8. Get the second `Item` element

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[2]

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

The first element is either 1 or first().

9. Get the last `Item` element

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[last()]

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

last() and first() can be used.

10. Get the three first `Item` elements

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[position() <= 3]

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ARCHIVED">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

When you will use XSLT you will have to replace < by < and > by >. This because they are reserved characters in XSLT. Trick to remember: lt = less than, gt = greater than.

11.Get all elements `Item` where attribute `partition` is ACTIVES

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[@partition='ACTIVES']

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
</Item>        
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

The XPath in the bracket is relative to the element before the bracket. So the predicate here applies to Item.

12. Get all elements `Item` where element `Classification` TYPOLOGY is PHONES

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[Classification[@key='TYPOLOGY']='PHONES']

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ARCHIVED">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

Predicates can be imbricates.

13. Get all elements `Item` where attribute `partition` is ACTIVES and where element `Classification` TYPOLOGY is PHONES

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[@partition='ACTIVES' and Classification[@key='TYPOLOGY']='PHONES']

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
</Item>
<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
    <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
    <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
    <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

You can use multiple conditions using and and or.

14. Get all TITLE_EN values for elements `Item` where attribute `partition` is ACTIVES and where element `Classification` TYPOLOGY is PHONES

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[@partition='ACTIVES' and Classification[@key='TYPOLOGY']='PHONES']/Field[@key='TITLE_EN']/string()

xml

PRODUCTS

Explanations

Take a minute to really understand this XPath. Remember predicates are like filters on elements.

Best practice

To build an XPath, first start with the path of elements or attributs that has to be displayed, then add the predicates. In the example above you should set /Table/Items/Item/Field/string() and then add the predicates.

15. Get all elements `Item` where there is no element `Classification`

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[not(Classification)]

xml

<Item partition="ACTIVES">
    <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
    <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
    <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
</Item>

Explanations

The not(input_parameter) function return false if the input parameter is true, false otherwise.

16. Count all elements `Item` where there is no element `Classification`

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

count(/Table/Items/Item[not(Classification)])

xml

Explanations

The count() function allows to count elements.

17. Get all sub-elements

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[1]/*

xml

<Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
<Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
<Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
<Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
<Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
<Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>

Explanations

The * means all sub elements. If you need all attributes, use @*

18. Get all the sub-elements whose name is not equal to Identifier

Click on the result tab to view the result

InputXPathResult

xml

<Table key="PRODUCTS">
    <Items>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890123</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890124</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-002</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 2</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The other new phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">759</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ARCHIVED">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890125</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">PH-003</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 3</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">An old phone</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">389.9</Field>
        </Item>         
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890126</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">DI-001</Identifier>
            <Classification key="TYPOLOGY">DISHWASHERS</Classification>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Dishwasher 1</Field>
            <Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new dishwasher</Field>
            <Field key="PRICE_EURO">1240.3</Field>
        </Item>
        <Item partition="ACTIVES">
            <Identifier key="EAN_13">1234567890127</Identifier>
            <Identifier key="SKU">WA-001</Identifier>
            <Field key="TITLE_EN">Watch 1</Field>
        </Item>
    </Items>
</Table>

/Table/Items/Item[1]/*[name()!='Identifier']

xml

<Classification key="TYPOLOGY">PHONES</Classification>
<Field key="TITLE_EN">Phone 1</Field>
<Field key="DESCRIPTION_EN">The new phone</Field>
<Field key="PRICE_EURO">999.99</Field>

Explanations

name() referes to the name of the element (or the name of the attribute).

What you have learned

XPath is a very powerfull tool to access data in an XML file.
Filters are done with predicates.
Functions can be used in predicates for complex filters.

XPath examples ​

Input file ​

XPath examples ​

1. The simplest XPath ​

Explanations ​

2. Select the content of element Table ​

Explanations ​

3. Get the value of the attribute key of the element Table ​

Explanations ​

4. List all elements Item ​

Explanations ​

5. List all elements Identifier ​

Explanations ​

6. List all elements Identifier where attribute key is EAN_13 ​

Explanations ​

7. List all elements Identifier values where attribute key is EAN_13 ​

Explanations ​

8. Get the second Item element ​

Explanations ​

9. Get the last Item element ​

Explanations ​

10. Get the three first Item elements ​

Explanations ​

11.Get all elements Item where attribute partition is ACTIVES ​

Explanations ​

12. Get all elements Item where element Classification TYPOLOGY is PHONES ​

Explanations ​

13. Get all elements Item where attribute partition is ACTIVES and where element Classification TYPOLOGY is PHONES ​

Explanations ​

14. Get all TITLE_EN values for elements Item where attribute partition is ACTIVES and where element Classification TYPOLOGY is PHONES ​

Explanations ​

15. Get all elements Item where there is no element Classification ​

Explanations ​

16. Count all elements Item where there is no element Classification ​

Explanations ​

17. Get all sub-elements ​

Explanations ​

18. Get all the sub-elements whose name is not equal to Identifier ​

Explanations ​

What you have learned ​

XPath examples

Input file

XPath examples

1. The simplest XPath

Explanations

2. Select the content of element `Table`

Explanations

3. Get the value of the attribute key of the element `Table`

Explanations

4. List all elements `Item`

Explanations

5. List all elements `Identifier`

Explanations

6. List all elements Identifier where attribute `key` is EAN_13

Explanations

7. List all elements Identifier values where attribute `key` is EAN_13

Explanations

8. Get the second `Item` element

Explanations

9. Get the last `Item` element

Explanations

10. Get the three first `Item` elements

Explanations

11.Get all elements `Item` where attribute `partition` is ACTIVES

Explanations

12. Get all elements `Item` where element `Classification` TYPOLOGY is PHONES

Explanations

13. Get all elements `Item` where attribute `partition` is ACTIVES and where element `Classification` TYPOLOGY is PHONES

Explanations

14. Get all TITLE_EN values for elements `Item` where attribute `partition` is ACTIVES and where element `Classification` TYPOLOGY is PHONES

Explanations

15. Get all elements `Item` where there is no element `Classification`

Explanations

16. Count all elements `Item` where there is no element `Classification`

Explanations

17. Get all sub-elements

Explanations

18. Get all the sub-elements whose name is not equal to Identifier

Explanations

What you have learned