Overview
Introduction
Sometimes you just want the data an XML document carries, without the tags, but with enough context to know where each piece came from.
This tool lists every value with its path.
What Is XML Value Extractor?
An extraction tool that walks the parsed document.
It lists every non-blank leaf text value alongside the dot-notation path of element names leading to it.
How XML Value Extractor Works
The document is walked recursively.
Whenever a text-bearing leaf element is found, its trimmed content is recorded together with the path of tag names from the root down to it.
When To Use XML Value Extractor
Use it to see every piece of actual data an XML document carries, with enough context (the path) to know where each value belongs.
It's also useful right before writing an XPath query, to confirm the exact path a value lives at.
Often used alongside XML Value Finder, XML Key Extractor and XML to Text Converter.
Features
Advantages
- Every value is labeled with its exact origin.
- Runs entirely client-side.
- Captures repeats, so occurrence counts of a value are as visible as the value itself.
Limitations
- Attribute values aren't included, only element text content, use the XML to JSON Converter to also see attributes.
- The list isn't deduplicated, a value repeated across many elements is listed once per occurrence.
Examples
Best Practices & Notes
Best Practices
- Pair with Find XML Values when you only care about a subset matching a search term.
- Scan the paths, not just the values, they tell you which field each piece of data belongs to.
- Use this before writing an XPath query, to confirm the exact path a value lives at.
Developer Notes
Collection is a single recursive walk that threads the current path string through recursive calls, avoiding any second pass to reconstruct paths after the fact.
XML Value Extractor Use Cases
- Seeing every piece of data a document carries, with context
- Spot-checking data values before writing a parser
- Confirming a migration or transform didn't drop any values
Common Mistakes
- Expecting attribute values here, only element text content is included.
- Assuming the list is deduplicated, every occurrence of a repeated value is listed separately.
Tips
- Use Find XML Values instead if you're searching for one specific value rather than dumping everything.
- Check the FAQ above if the output doesn't look like what you expected.