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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-13T08:05:31+00:00

I have some word templates(dot/dotx) files that contain xml tags along with plain text.

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I have some word templates(dot/dotx) files that contain xml tags along with plain text.
At run time, I need to replace the xml tags with their respective mail merge fields.

So, need to parse the document for these xml tags and replace them with merge fields.
I was using Regex to find and replace these xml tags. But I was suggested to use XML parser to parse for XML tags ([Regex for string enclosed in <*>, C#).

The sample document looks like:

Solicitor Letter

<Tfirm/>
<Tbuilding/>
<TstreetNumber/> <TstreetName/>

For the attention of: <TContact1/> <TEmail/>


Dear  <TContact1/>

RE: <Pbuilding/> <PstreetNumber/> <PstreetName/> <Pvillage/> <PTown/>

We were pleased to hear that contracts have now been exchanged in the sale of the 
above property on behalf of our mutual client/s.  We now have pleasure in enclosing a 
copy of our invoice for your kind attention upon completion.

....

One more note, the angle brackets are typed manually by end user in the template.

I tried using XMLReader, but got error as my documents have no root tags on their own.

Please guide if I should stick to Regex or is there any way to use XML Parser.

Thank you!

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    Unless you can get it structured as an XML document, the tools in the .NET Libraries to read XML are going to be entirely useless.

    What you have is not XML. Having a tag or two that would qualify as XML does not an XML document make. The problem is that it simply does not follow any of the rules of XML.

    Moral of the story is that you will have to come up with your own method to parse this. If you like to drink the RegEx kool-aid, that’ll be the best solution for ya. Of course, there are plenty of ways to skin this cat.

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