evaluateXPathExpression - find all Elements with specific attribute

[patMorita]

Hi,

i have an xml structure like this (without indent, just for better readability here):

<root>
    <master>
        <graphic_0 control="XXXX" href="File:///test.png"/>
        <textframe_0>
            <textframe_1>
                <text_1>DUMMY</text_1>
            </textframe_1>
            <text_0 control="XXXX">DUMMY</text_0>
        </textframe_0>
    </master>
</root>

As you can see, the <graphic_0> and the inner <text_0> element both have a "control" attribute. I'd like to get ALL elements with a control attribute, no matter in which level they are located.

I tried this:

// given: master is the <master> element
var xmlElements = master.evaluateXPathExpression("//*[@control]");
alert(xmlElements.length);

 But the alert always returns 1 (the <graphic_0> element), but not the inner <text_0> element.

What am I doing wrong?

EDIT: graphic_0 (that one recognized) represents a rectangle, text_0 a few tagged words

[rob day · Accepted solution]

Hi @patMorita , try this:

var r = app.activeDocument.xmlElements
var x = r.firstItem().evaluateXPathExpression("//*[@control]");

$.writeln(r.count()) //returns 1
$.writeln(r.firstItem().markupTag.name) //returns root
$.writeln(x.length) //returns 2
$.writeln(x[0].markupTag.name) //returns graphic_0
$.writeln(x[0].xmlAttributes[0].name) //returns control

Also check this helpful thread on the .evaluateXPathExpression method:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/how-to-change-position-of-new-xml-element-as-imm...