Free online XPath expression tester, no signup required, no data upload. Supports XPath 1.0 syntax, real-time matching, node attribute view and namespace support. Copy results with one click.
Zero Dependencies · Works OfflineWhat can the Online XPath Expression Tester do?
XPath is a W3C-defined XML query language widely used for XML data extraction, XSLT transformation and web scraping. Our Online XPath Expression Tester runs entirely in your browser, providing real-time XPath query execution, matched node highlighting and namespace support, helping developers write and debug XPath expressions quickly without installing any software.
Key Features
- Real-time Query: Enter an XPath expression and execute it instantly, with matching results shown in real time for text nodes, attributes, elements and more
- Namespace Support: Custom namespace prefix and URI mappings to correctly handle namespaced XML documents
- Node Details: Shows type, value and path for each matched node to help you understand the results
- File Import: Import local XML files by drag-and-drop or file selection, or paste XML text directly
- Result Export: Copy query results with one click or download them as a text file for use in your code
Usage Guide
1. Input XML: Paste your XML document in the input area, or click "Load Example" to use the sample data. You can also click "Import File" to select a local XML file.
2. Write XPath: Enter a query expression in the XPath input. Common syntax: //element selects all element nodes, @attr selects attributes, text() selects text content, [condition] adds filters.
3. View Results: Click "Execute Query" or press Ctrl+Enter. Matched nodes are listed in the results panel with type, value and path. Click "Copy Result" to copy all matched values at once.
FAQ
What is XPath?
XPath (XML Path Language) is a W3C query language used to locate and select nodes in an XML document. It uses path expressions to select XML nodes or node sets, similar to file system paths. XPath is also the foundation of XSLT and XQuery.
Which XPath versions are supported?
This tool supports the browser built-in XPath 1.0 implementation, the most widely supported version in web environments. Advanced XPath 2.0/3.0 features are not supported.
Is my XML data uploaded to a server?
No. All XML parsing and XPath queries run locally in your browser and your data is never uploaded. You can even use this tool offline.
How do I handle namespaced XML?
Add prefix and URI mappings in the namespace panel, then use the corresponding prefixes in your XPath expressions. For example, map the soap prefix to http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/ and query /soap:Envelope/soap:Body.
Why does my XPath expression return no matches?
Common reasons: 1) XML has a default namespace but the XPath does not use a prefix; 2) case mismatch in the expression (XML is case-sensitive); 3) incorrect path levels. Start with simple paths and build up gradually.
Can I query HTML documents with XPath?
Yes. This tool uses the browser's DOM parser and can handle well-formed XHTML. For regular HTML, the tool attempts to repair the format before parsing, but standard XML is recommended for the most accurate results.