XML Filter

To learn more about filters in general, see section Understanding Filters.

Use this filter whenever a trigger receives XML-encoded data. The filter allows you to extract individual fields, fields in repeatable sub areas, and even name-value pairs. XML structure defines elements and sub elements, attributes and their values, and textual values (element values).

While you can define the structure of the XML file by yourself, Loftware recommends you to import the structure from the existing sample XML file. Click Import Data Structure button on the ribbon. After you import the XML structure, the Data Preview section displays the XML contents. It also highlights the elements and attributes that you define as output fields.

For XML data examples, see section XML Data.

Defining Structure

To use the XML items, configure them as:

  • Variable value: Specifies that you want to use the selected item as a field and that you will map its value to respective variables in Use Data Filter action. For more information, see section Defining XML Fields.

    • Optional element: Specifies that the element is not mandatory. This corresponds with XML schema (XSD file) attribute minOccurs=0. The variable mapped to such field will have an empty value if the element does not appear in the XML.

  • Data block: Specifies that the selected element occurs multiple times and provides data for a single label. Data block can be defined as repeatable area, assignment area, or both.

    • Repeatable area: Specifies that you want to extract values from all repeatable data blocks, not just from the first one. You can define fields within each data block. Map the defined fields to respective variables in Use Data Filter action. For more information, see section Defining Repeatable Elements.

    • Assignment area: Specifies that the data block contains name-value pairs. Field names and their values are read simultaneously. Mapping to variables is done automatically. Use this feature to accommodate the filter to changing input data, eliminating the maintenance time. For more information, see section Defining XML Assignment Area.

The Data Preview section simplifies the configuration. The result of a defined filter rule is highlighted in the preview area.

To change the previewed XML data, click Open and browse for a new sample XML file.