'for xml path' - trying to get to understand it.

  • Hi All,

    I am trying to create xml files in SQL 2008 R2 with 'for xml path'. I have not got experience with xml and I can't yet 'see' how the nests/elements work.

    I can't find a clear explanation online on how to create xml files in SQL. I was hoping if someone knows of a tutorial I could follow so that I could give this a go on my own.

    A little example of what I am trying to do - I don't know how to create the 'indentations' (nests?), if that makes sense?

    The sql code is what I have started with, the issue is that I don't understand it and I would like to understand how it works.

    I am hoping with a little help, the penny will drop.

    Thank you in advance.

    Michael

    XML Output: (desired result)

    <SubmissionId>1</SubmissionId>

    <OriginalUniqueSubmissionid>1</OriginalUniqueSubmissionid>

    <TestScenarioId>7-0</TestScenarioId>

    <CorrectedInd>0</CorrectedInd>

    <EmployerInformationGrp>

    <BusinessName>

    <BusinessNameLine1Txt>TestData</BusinessNameLine1Txt>

    </BusinessName>

    <BusinessNameControlTxt> </BusinessNameControlTxt>

    <TINRequestTypeCd>TestData2</TINRequestTypeCd>

    <EmployerEIN>00000001</EmployerEIN>

    <MailingAddressGrp>

    <USAddressGrp>

    <AddressLine1Txt>109 Blah Cove</AddressLine1Txt>

    <AddressLine2Txt> </AddressLine2Txt>

    <CityNm>BlahCity</CityNm>

    <USStateCd>TX</USStateCd>

    <USZIPCd>00012</USZIPCd>

    </USAddressGrp>

    </MailingAddressGrp>

    <ContactNameGrp>

    <PersonFirstNm>Jon</PersonFirstNm>

    <PersonLastNm>Doe</PersonLastNm>

    </ContactNameGrp>

    <ContactPhoneNum>5555555555</ContactPhoneNum>

    </EmployerInformationGrp>

    My code attempt:

    SELECT

    '' AS '@recordType',

    '0' AS '@lineNum',

    '1' AS 'SubmissionId',

    '1' AS 'OriginalUniqueSubmissionId',

    '3-0' AS 'TestScenarioId',--Just for Test

    '0' AS 'CorrectedInd',

    (select 'Selitestthree' AS 'BusinessName/BusinessNameLine1Txt',

    ' ' AS 'BusinessNameControlTxt',

    ' ' AS 'TINRequestTypeCd',

    '00000000' AS 'EmployerEIN'

    for xml PATH(''), type

    ) as 'EmployerInformationGrp',

    'Jon' AS 'ContactNameGrp/PersonFirstNm',

    ' ' AS 'ContactNameGrp/PersonMiddleNm',

    'Doe' AS 'ContactNameGrp/PersonLastNm',

    '5555555555' AS 'ContactPhoneNum',

    'blah rd' AS 'MailingAddressGrp/USAddressGrp/AddressLine1Txt',

    ' ' AS 'MailingAddressGrp/USAddressGrp/AddressLine2Txt',

    'fdgdfg' AS 'MailingAddressGrp/USAddressGrp/CityNm',

    'AA' AS 'MailingAddressGrp/USAddressGrp/USStateCd',

    '00214' AS 'MailingAddressGrp/USAddressGrp/USZIPCd',

    '3' AS 'Form1095CAttachedCnt',

    '1' as 'AuthoritativeTransmit',

    '455' AS 'Form1095CFiledCnt',

    '1' AS 'AleMemberGroup',

    '1' as 'Sect4980HTransRel',

    ' ' AS 'JuratSignaturePIN',

    ' ' AS 'PersonTitleTxt',

    ' 'AS 'SignatureDt'

    for xml path('Form1094BUpstreamDetail'),ROOT ('Form109495BTransmittalUpstream')

  • You usually use subqueries to create complex structures, although you can also use CROSS APPLY.

    SELECT

    1 AS SubmissionID,

    1 AS OriginalUniqueSubmissionID,

    '7-0' AS TestScenarioID,

    0 AS CorrectedInd,

    ( SELECT

    ( SELECT 'TestData' AS BusinessNameLine1Txt FOR XML PATH('BusinessName'), TYPE ),

    ' ' AS BusinessNameControlTxt,

    'TestData2' AS TINRequestTypeCd,

    '0000001' AS EmployerEIN,

    (

    SELECT

    '109 Blah Cove' AS AddressLine1Txt,

    '' AS AddressLine2Txt,

    'BlahCity' AS CityNm,

    'TX' AS USStateCd,

    '00012' AS USZIPCd

    FOR XML PATH('USAddressGrp'), ROOT('MailingAddressGrp'), TYPE

    ) ,

    ( SELECT 'Jon' AS PersonFirstNm, 'Doe' AS PersonLastNm FOR XML PATH('ContactNameGrp'), TYPE ),

    5555555555 AS ContactPhoneNum

    FOR XML PATH('EmployerInformationGrp'), TYPE

    )

    FOR XML PATH('Form1094BUpstreamDetail'),ROOT ('Form109495BTransmittalUpstream')

    The TYPE keyword ensures that the results are returned as XML rather than NVARCHAR.

    Drew

    J. Drew Allen
    Business Intelligence Analyst
    Philadelphia, PA

  • Drew,

    Thank you so much, it's already much more clearer with your help - the formatted\layout syntax really helps. This is an excellent starting point.

    Appreciate your time.

    Michael

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