How to use the XML XPath Extractor
Start with XML in XML input, a file, or the drop area. After the document parses, the page shows its tree, lets you build an XPath expression, and updates the retained matches as you edit the query or its settings.
- Enter XML in XML input, choose browse files, or drop a file on Drop an XML file here. Invalid XML shows an error.
- Review the Document tree. Use Expand all or Collapse all, then click a node label to insert its exact XPath.
- Enter an expression in XPath expression, or click a quick-insert button such as
//,[1],text(), orcount(). - Set Result limit, inspect the matches, and use Copy paths, Copy values, or an export control.
Extract XML with XPath 1.0
The query field accepts XPath 1.0 expressions. A node query returns the matching location, node type, and value preview. For a small document, the input and result can look like this:
XML: <root><item>Alice</item></root>
XPath: //item
Result: /root/item[1] | element | AliceA scalar expression returns one number, string, or boolean. Syntax introduced after XPath 1.0 produces an XPath error.
Query XML with a namespace prefix
The page scans namespace declarations when the document loads. It shows editable mappings, and a plain xmlns="..." declaration gets the generated default prefix. Use Add row to enter another mapping or Re-detect from document to scan the XML again.
XPath 1.0 needs a prefix for elements in a default namespace. For the generated mapping, an expression can use //default:item. Edit the prefix or namespace URI in the table when the query needs a different mapping.
Copy or export XPath matches
The results table shows each retained match with its exact XPath location, node type, and value preview. Hover over a row to highlight the node in the Document tree. Copy paths and Copy values collect the current rows, and each row has controls for copying one path or value.
Export XML, Export JSON, Export CSV, and Export TXT use the retained rows. If the query reaches the limit, the exports contain the rows the table keeps.
XML XPath Extractor limits
Result limit accepts values from 1 through 5000, with 500 as the default. The expression counts every match, while the table and exports keep only the allowed number. The summary reports when the limit was reached.
Each element renders up to 500 child nodes in the Document tree. Extra children remain queryable by XPath. The page parses and queries the XML in the browser, and its script does not send the document to a server.
Where XML XPath queries come up
- Check repeated elements with a path such as
//item, then inspect each value and its exact location. - Map a namespace URI when the XML uses namespaced elements, then export the retained matches as CSV.
- Click a node in the Document tree to insert its path, then add a predicate such as
[@category='fiction'].
When XML Extract Tools is the better starting point
Use XML XPath Extractor when XPath expressions, node paths, node types, and retained-match exports are part of the job. Visit XML Extract Tools when you need to compare the available XML extraction tasks before choosing a query-based workflow.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use XML XPath Extractor?
Paste XML into XML input, load a file, or drop one into the page. Then enter an XPath expression in XPath expression. Results update after the document parses and whenever the expression, limit, or namespace mappings change.
Can I query XML with XPath 1.0?
Yes. The browser evaluates XPath 1.0 expressions against the parsed XML document. The result can be a set of matching nodes or one number, string, or boolean value.
How do I query XML with a default namespace?
Map the namespace URI to a prefix in the namespace table, then use that prefix in the XPath expression. The page detects a plain xmlns declaration and adds the generated default prefix.
What happens when XPath returns more matches than Result limit?
The results table keeps only the number set in Result limit. The summary reports the larger match count and the limit state. Raise the value through 5000 to retain more rows for export.
Can I export XPath matches as JSON or CSV?
Yes. Export JSON and Export CSV create files with each retained match's path, type, and value. CSV also includes an index. Export XML and Export TXT are also available.