XPath Builder (Process Properties)

To build XPath expressions, you can use XPath Builder. XPath Builder includes the process data and common data trees, the function and operator libraries, and a work area where you create the expression:

  • The process data tree, which appears in the uppermost pane of XPath Builder, shows the data model of the process in a tree structure. The data tree provides access to the information that is stored for the process, such as variable values and values in form data.

  • The common data tree, which appears in the uppermost pane of XPath Builder shows the datamodel of common variables in a tree structure. The data tree provides access to information that is stored as common variables and defaulted to use across all processes.

  • The function and operator libraries, which appear in the uppermost pane of the XPath Builder, provide XPath functions and operators that you can apply to nodes in the data tree.

  • The expression work area, which appears in the lower pane of the XPath Builder, is an editor where you author XPath expressions. When you double-click items in the data tree or the function and operator libraries, the items are inserted in the expression work area at the position of the cursor.

View full size graphic
A.
Buttons for switching between Process Data tree, Functions library, and Operators library

B.
Process data tree. This box can also show functions and operators

C.
Expression work area.

Both functions and operations act on data values; however, functions act on parameter values, and operations do not. Operations act on values located before and after the operation; for example, the add operation in the expression integer1 + integer2 acts on the values integer1 and integer2.

You can open XPath Builder from the Process Properties view when the view is showing properties for routes and for operations, as well as from the dialog boxes for configuring events. An ellipsis button is provided beside text boxes where you can use XPath Builder to supply a value.

After you author the XPath expression and click OK in XPath Builder, the text in the expression work area populates the text box that is associated with the ellipsis button.

If you know the XPath language, you can enter expressions manually instead of using XPath Builder.
To open a list of values to complete the expression, press Ctrl+space. You can use the mouse or keyboard select an item in the list. Press Enter to insert the selection.

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