You'll find the XPath/XQuery tab at the bottom of your XMLSpy screen in the Output Window. Here you can select the version of XPath you require and toggle between XPath Builder mode and Evaluator mode.
As you're composing an XPath expression, correct syntax is shown in black, with incorrect entries highlighted in red. Intelligent auto-completion functionality provides a pop-up list of relevant choices to help you complete the expression.
The XPath analyzer window stays open as you edit your files, and you can store the results of up to nine different XPath expressions on separate tabs. This allows you to make changes to your file, then re-evaluate the expression(s) without having to remember and retype them. The ability to preserve XPath expressions and results directly in the editing view as you’re working is an invaluable timesaver unique to XMLSpy.
As you write your XPath, you'll have access to:
- Point-and-click expression building, via a comprehensive a list of operators, expressions, and built in functions, which you can insert in an expression by double clicking. Functions are inserted with their arguments indicated by “#” placeholders, making it easy to build expressions quickly and error-free.
- Mouse-over hints that describe each operator, function, etc., so you can be sure to choose the correct one for the expression at hand.
- Enhanced entry helpers that display the description of built in functions, and then show helpful function and parameter details as you type, speeding development and ensuring accuracy.
As you're working, the Evaluator tab lets you test the results of your XPath expressions as you work. Evaluator mode has several advantages:
- Save time and avoid errors by testing expressions before adding them to your document and adjusting as needed
- Evaluate an XPath expression against one or more files: the active document, all open files, a folder, or an entire XMLSpy project
- Utilize nine tabs for developing and testing complex expressions. This allows you develop multiple expressions side-by-side and incrementally make changes to each one of them, preserving both the expression AND the result for each tab.
