How to Test XPath Expressions on XML
XPath Testing
When to Use XPath
Query XML configs, SOAP envelopes, RSS feeds, and legacy integration payloads when JSONPath is not available. Test expressions before embedding them in CI assertions or XSLT transforms.
Well-Formed XML Required
Input must parse as well-formed XML. Fix syntax errors reported by the XML validator before running XPath. Namespaces may require prefixes registered in advanced workflows — this tester uses document-default evaluation.
Developer Tips
- Start with simple //tag queries before adding predicates
- Do not evaluate XPath on untrusted XML without hardening production parsers
- Pair with XML format/validate tools in this hub for faster debugging
Frequently asked questions
Does this support XPath 2.0?
Browser XPath 1.0 evaluation is used — advanced XPath 2.0 functions may not be available.
Can XPath modify XML?
No. This tool read-only queries and lists matched nodes.