---
title: About the xml Resource
---

# xml

Use the `xml` InSpec audit resource to test data in an XML file.

<br>

## Syntax

An `xml` resource block declares the data to be tested. Assume the following XML file:

    <root>
      <name>hello</name>
      <meta>
        <creator>John Doe</creator>
      </meta>
      <array>
        <element>one</element>
        <element>two</element>
      </array>
    </root>

This file can be queried using:

    describe xml('/path/to/name.xml') do
      its('root/name') { should eq ['hello'] }
      its('root/meta/creator') { should eq ['John Doe'] }
      its('root/array[2]/element]) { should eq ['two'] }
    end

where

* `root/name` is an XPath expression
* `should eq ['foo']` tests a value of `root/name` as read from an XML file versus the value declared in the test

<br>

## Examples

The following examples show how to use this InSpec audit resource.

### Test an AppPool's presence in an applicationHost.config file

    describe xml('applicationHost.config') do
      its('configuration/system.applicationHost/applicationPools/add@name') { should contain('my_pool') }
    end

<br>

## Matchers

This InSpec audit resource has the following matchers. For a full list of available matchers please visit our [matchers page](https://www.inspec.io/docs/reference/matchers/).

### name

The `name` matcher tests the value of `name` as read from a JSON file versus the value declared in the test:

    its('name') { should eq 'foo' }