Introduction to XSLT

|  | Search W3Schools : |

HOME | HTML | CSS | XML | JAVASCRIPT | ASP | PHP | SQL | MORE... |  | References | Examples | Forum | About

ADVERTISEMENTS XML Certification Download XML editor Custom Programming |  |

Table of contents

XSLT Basic
XSLT HOME
XSL Languages
XSLT Introduction
XSLT Browsers
XSLT Transform
XSLT <template>
XSLT <value-of>
XSLT <for-each>
XSLT <sort>
XSLT <if>
XSLT <choose>
XSLT Apply
XSLT Advanced
XSLT on the Client
XSLT on the Server
XSLT Edit XML
XSLT Editors
XSLT Summary
Examples
XSLT Examples
References
XSLT Elements
XSLT Functions

Selected Reading

Web Statistics
Web Glossary
Web Hosting
Web Quality
W3Schools Tutorials
W3Schools Forum
Helping W3Schools

# Introduction to XSLT

XSLT is a language for transforming XML documents into XHTML documents or to other XML documents.

XPath is a language for navigating in XML documents.

## What You Should Already Know

Before you continue you should have a basic understanding of the following:

- HTML / XHTML
- XML / XML Namespaces
- XPath

If you want to study these subjects first, find the tutorials on our Home page.

## What is XSLT?

- XSLT stands for XSL Transformations
- XSLT is the most important part of XSL
- XSLT transforms an XML document into another XML document
- XSLT uses XPath to navigate in XML documents
- XSLT is a W3C Recommendation

## XSLT = XSL Transformations

XSLT is the most important part of XSL.

XSLT is used to transform an XML document into another XML document, or another type of document that is recognized by a browser, like HTML and XHTML. Normally XSLT does this by transforming each XML element into an (X)HTML element.

With XSLT you can add/remove elements and attributes to or from the output file. You can also rearrange and sort elements, perform tests and make decisions about which elements to hide and display, and a lot more.

A common way to describe the transformation process is to say that XSLT transforms an XML source-tree into an XML result-tree.

## XSLT Uses XPath

XSLT uses XPath to find information in an XML document. XPath is used to navigate through elements and attributes in XML documents.

If you want to study XPath first, please read our XPath Tutorial.

## How Does it Work?

In the transformation process, XSLT uses XPath to define parts of the source document that should match one or more predefined templates. When a match is found, XSLT will transform the matching part of the source document into the result document.

## XSLT is a W3C Recommendation

XSLT became a W3C Recommendation 16. November 1999.

To read more about the XSLT activities at W3C, please read our W3C tutorial.

## Altova® MissionKit® - Integrated suite of XML tools

The Altova MissionKit is a suite of intelligent XML tools, including:

XMLSpy® – industry-leading XML editor

- Support for all XML-based technologies
- Graphical editing views, powerful debuggers, code generation, & more

MapForce® – graphical data mapping tool

- Drag-and-drop data conversion with code generation
- Support for XML, DBs, EDI, Excel® 2007, text, Web services

StyleVision® – visual stylesheet designer

- Drag-and-drop stylesheet design for XML & databases
- Output to HTML, PDF, RTF, Word 2007, & more

And more…

Try before you buy with a free fully functional 30-day trial

Download today

## Get Your Diploma!

W3Schools' Online Certification Program is the perfect solution for busy professionals who need to balance work, family, and career building.

The HTML Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of HTML, XHTML, and CSS.

The JavaScript Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of JavaScript and the HTML DOM.

The XML Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of XML, XML DOM and XSLT.

The ASP Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of ASP, SQL, and ADO.

The PHP Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of PHP and SQL (MySQL).

WEB HOSTING
ASP.NET Web Hosting
$15 Domain Name Registration Save $20 / year!
Buy UK Domain Names Register Domain Names
Cheap Domain Names Cheap Web Hosting
Best Web Hosting
PHP MySQL Hosting
Top 10 Web Hosting
UK Reseller Hosting
Web Hosting
FREE Web Hosting

WEB BUILDING
Website Templates Flash Templates Website Builder Internet Business Opportunity
Custom Programming
FREE Trial or Demo Web Content Manager Forms,Web Alerts,RSS
Download XML editor
FREE Flash Website
FREE Web Templates

EDUCATION
US Web Design Schools
HTML Certification
JavaScript Certification
XML Certification
PHP Certification
ASP Certification

HOME or Top of Page |  | Printer Friendly
W3Schools is for training only. We do not warrant the correctness of its content. The risk from using it lies entirely with the user. While using this site, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use and privacy policy. Copyright 1999-2009 by Refsnes Data. All Rights Reserved.