Question

OK, I have a finding aid structure like so:

<c01 level="file">

<c02 level="file"></c02>

</c01>

For my XSLT template, I’d like to be able to match only nodes with the attribute of level=”file” that have a parent also with the attribute of level=”file” so that I can enact some specific formatting on the child.

Normally to match level=”file” I just use the following:

<xsl:template match="*[@level="file"]">

However, for the purposes of formatting (indentation, etc), I need the node that is a child of a node with the same attribute to be treated differently than its parent. So something like:

<xsl:template match="*[@level="file"] and parent::[@level="file"]">

Any ideas? I hope this makes sense. Thanks!

Answer 1

Use:

<xsl:template match="*[@level='file' ]/*[@level='file']">

This template matches any element the string value of whose level attribute is "file" and that is a child of an element the string value of whose level attribute is "file"

Do note: No .. or parent:: axis or // are used and this is probably the simplest and most precise match pattern.