XML Node Attribute Key is not honored

#1

Hello @jan!

When converting XML to json with the XML node and setting Attribute key to let’s say $ the setting is not honored.

With this XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ORDERS05>
  <IDOC BEGIN="1">
    <EDI_DC40 SEGMENT="1">
      <TABNAM>EDI_DC40</TABNAM>
    </EDI_DC40>
  </IDOC>
</ORDERS05>

I would expetc the following JSON

[
  {
    "ORDERS05": {
      "IDOC": {
        "$BEGIN": "1",
        "EDI_DC40": {
          "$SEGMENT": "1",
          "TABNAM": "EDI_DC40"
        }
      }
    }
  }
]

But it returns this:

[
  {
    "ORDERS05": {
      "IDOC": {
        "BEGIN": "1",
        "EDI_DC40": {
          "SEGMENT": "1",
          "TABNAM": "EDI_DC40"
        }
      }
    }
  }
]

Or is this not the intended usage of this option? Is this purely for JSON-To-XML where $key would become an attribute?

Sample workflow:

{
  "name": "",
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {},
      "name": "Start",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.start",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        250,
        300
      ]
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "keepOnlySet": true,
        "values": {
          "string": [
            {
              "name": "xml",
              "value": "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\"?> <ORDERS05>   <IDOC BEGIN=\"1\">     <EDI_DC40 SEGMENT=\"1\">       <TABNAM>EDI_DC40</TABNAM>     </EDI_DC40>   </IDOC> </ORDERS05>"
            }
          ]
        }
      },
      "name": "Set",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        170,
        1635
      ]
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "dataPropertyName": "xml",
        "options": {
          "explicitRoot": true
        }
      },
      "name": "XML",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.xml",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        320,
        1635
      ]
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Set": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "XML",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    }
  },
  "active": false,
  "settings": {}
}

Regads Sebastian

#2

I just checked and it seems like it has to do with the fact that the node sets by default the option “mergeAttrs: true”. If you add that option manually and set it to false it works as expected.

#3

Ok, I’ll try that on monday. The xml2js lib used is defaulting mergeAttrs to false. If n8n is reversing that it’s a possible solution

#4

At least when I did try yesterday that solved the problem for me. So it should also work for you.

If it does not simply get back to me. Have a nice weekend!

#5

Hey!

I tested it as you said and I am fine with that!

{
  "name": "XML Conversion",
  "nodes": [
    {
      "parameters": {},
      "name": "Start",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.start",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        250,
        300
      ]
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "keepOnlySet": true,
        "values": {
          "string": [
            {
              "name": "xml",
              "value": "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\"?> <ORDERS05>   <IDOC BEGIN=\"1\">     <EDI_DC40 SEGMENT=\"1\">       <TABNAM>EDI_DC40</TABNAM>     </EDI_DC40>   </IDOC> </ORDERS05>"
            }
          ]
        }
      },
      "name": "Set",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.set",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        510,
        300
      ]
    },
    {
      "parameters": {
        "dataPropertyName": "xml",
        "options": {
          "attrkey": "$",
          "explicitRoot": true,
          "mergeAttrs": false
        }
      },
      "name": "XML",
      "type": "n8n-nodes-base.xml",
      "typeVersion": 1,
      "position": [
        740,
        300
      ]
    }
  ],
  "connections": {
    "Set": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "XML",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    },
    "Start": {
      "main": [
        [
          {
            "node": "Set",
            "type": "main",
            "index": 0
          }
        ]
      ]
    }
  },
  "active": false,
  "settings": {},
  "id": "3"
}

produces

[
  {
    "ORDERS05": {
      "IDOC": {
        "$": {
          "BEGIN": "1"
        },
        "EDI_DC40": {
          "$": {
            "SEGMENT": "1"
          },
          "TABNAM": "EDI_DC40"
        }
      }
    }
  }
]

Thanks again!

#6

@vuchl Great to hear! Have a nice evening!