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Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Match Patterns
3. Path Expressions
4. Tutorial/Lab

The <xsl:apply-templates/> element has been used for each of these examples.

These Path Expressions may also be used for attributes. See Attributes located under Match Patterns.

This XML file was used for all the examples.

Single Forward Slash /

Match the Root node by stating a single forward slash or a single forward slash followed by the name of the RootElement. The formatting will be applied to every element from the XML document.

Example 1
<xsl:template match="/">
XSL file
View result

Example 2
<xsl:template match="/library">
XSL file
View result

Example 3

If a SINGLE forward slash is stated BEFORE the chapter element, no display would be seen. The reason for the non-display is because chapter is not a direct ChildElement of the ParentElement library.

<xsl:template match="/chapter">
XSL file
View result

Double Forward Slash //

When double forward slashes are used, the processor will look from the Root node for ALL the ChildElements with the stated name.

Example 1
In the following example, the processor will look for all the ChildElements named chapter from the Root node of library.

<xsl:template match="//chapter">
XSL file
View result

Access Nodes Regardless of Parent

The double forward slash will access all the named elements regardless of that named element's ParentElement.

Example 1A

In the following example, ONLY the topic nodes that are DIRECTLY descended from the chapter element will be accessed. Note that the topic nodes that are a ChildElement of subtopic ARE NOT accessed.

<xsl:template match="chapter/topic">

XSL file
View result

Example 1B

In the following example, ALL the topic nodes will be accessed from the ParentElement of chapter. Note that any topic nodes that are a ChildElement of subtopic WILL now be accessed.

<xsl:template match="chapter//topic">

XSL file
View result

Example 1C

In the following example, ALL the topic nodes will be accessed from any ParentElement.

<xsl:template match="//topic">

XSL file
View result

Pipe Key |

Use the pipe key to access two paths at the same time.

<xsl:template match="bookcataloginfo | chapter">

To apply formatting separately to each of the accessed element sets, the select attribute has been added to the <xsl:apply-templates/> element. The select attribute states more specifically exactly which elements of a particular ParentElement will be accessed and where it will be placed in the html document. (More information about the select attribute with the <xsl:apply-templates/> element.)


<xsl:apply-templates select="title"/>



<xsl:apply-templates select="subtitle"/>


XSL file
View result

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