An XML namespace is a collection of names for specific element types and attribute names within an XML document. The scope of a namespace extends beyond its containing document.
Because a single XML document can contain elements and attributes that can be used by multiple software applications, you can use namespaces to differentiate which elements and attributes are to be used by which applications. Software applications that process XML use namespaces to recognize which tags and attributes they are designed to process.
Names from XML namespaces may appear as qualified names, which contain a single colon, separating the name into a namespace prefix and a local part. The prefix, which is mapped to a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) reference, selects a namespace. The combination of the universally managed URI namespace and the document's own namespace produces identifiers that are universally unique.
FrameMaker supports namespace usage for all elements in an XML document. When you import an XML document containing namespaces, all namespace information is preserved.
You can view, edit, add, or delete namespaces to an XML document in Structured FrameMaker using the Namespaces command. You can also use this command to view the definition of the prefix on an element and select the element that defines the prefix.
By default, namespaces in FrameMaker are handled as namespaces, appearing in the Namespaces dialog box. However, you can disable namespaces in the application and have them handled as attributes instead, appearing in the Structure View.
Open the document in Structured FrameMaker.
Select an element in the Structure View.
Choose .
In the Namespaces dialog box, click Select Defining Element to view the namespace for the selected element in the Structure View.
Make any desired changes to the Declared Namespaces, Prefix, or Path and then click Add, Change, or Delete. To close without saving your changes, close the dialog box without clicking an option.