How to Extract displayValue Using XPATH from XML

Learn how to efficiently get the `displayValue` from an XML node using XPATH with easy-to-follow steps and examples.
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How to Extract displayValue Using XPATH from XML

In the world of data extraction, working with XML files can often leave you puzzled, especially when trying to retrieve specific information embedded in attributes. One common problem faced by many developers is how to get the displayValue from an XML node using XPATH. In this post, we'll guide you through the process so that you can easily extract the data you need.

Understanding the Problem

Let's consider a concise example of an XML structure:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this structure, you might want to extract the term 'NZ Law', which is defined not as the inner text of the node but as an attribute named displayValue.

The Wrong Approach

Initially, you may attempt to use the following XPath expression to retrieve the name of the node:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, this will return the name of the element, which is Governing_Law_TermName, rather than the actual value you seek.

The Correct Approach

To get the displayValue, you need to extract the attribute from the XML directly. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Accessing the Attribute

You can retrieve the displayValue attribute using the attribute axis. Here are two ways to do it:

Method 1: Using Full XPath Expression

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Method 2: Using Shorthand

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Both of these methods will point to the displayValue attribute and allow you to extract its value successfully.

Important Note on Nodes

It's essential to note that in XPath terminology:

The Governing_Law_TermName is referred to as a node.

The displayValue attribute is also considered a node.

Similarly, the <Governing_LawText> element and its text This is the text within are classified as nodes.

Summary

To clean up, when you need to extract the displayValue from an XML node using XPATH, remember to use the shorthand syntax:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This concise expression helps you access the attribute directly, providing a straightforward solution to your data extraction tasks.

By understanding how to navigate XML structures using XPath, you can efficiently retrieve the data points you need for your applications or analyses. Remember to keep this guide handy the next time you encounter similar XML data extraction challenges!