Whatever message this page gives is out now! Go check it out!
IsXML
Last update:
May 18, 2026
Description
Determines whether a string is well-formed XML text.
Returns
True, if the function parameter is a string that contains well-formed XML text; False, otherwise.
Category
Function syntax
IsXML(value,parserOptions)See also
IsXmlAttribute , IsXmlDoc , IsXmlElem , IsXmlNode , IsXmlRoot , XmlParse , XmlValidate ; Using XML and WDDX in the Developing ColdFusion Applications
History
ColdFusion (2018 release): Introduced named parameters.
ColdFusion MX 7: Added this function.
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
value parserOptions | A string containing the XML document text A struct that controls XML parser behavior for the current invocation. Supported keys include:
|
Usage
This function determines whether text is well-formed XML, that is, it conforms to all XML syntax and structuring rules. The string does not have to be a complete XML document. The function does not validate against a Document Type Definition (DTD) or XML Schema.
Starting in ColdFusion (2025.0.08),
IsXML() returns false for input that contains a <!DOCTYPE ...> declaration unless you explicitly pass parserOptions.ALLOWDOCTYPEDECLARATION = true.Use this option only when the XML comes from a trusted source and a DOCTYPE declaration is expected. For untrusted XML, keep the default behavior.<!--- XML containing DOCTYPE is rejected by default --->
<cfset isOk = IsXML(myXmlString)>
<!--- Explicit opt-in for trusted XML --->
<cfset opts = { ALLOWDOCTYPEDECLARATION = true }>
<cfset isOk = IsXML(myXmlString, opts)>IMPORTANT
IsXML() is often used as a pre-check before parsing. Keep ALLOWDOCTYPEDECLARATION=false unless the XML source is trusted.Example
The following example creates two strings, and tests whether they are well-formed XML text:
<!--- A well formed XML string --->
<cfset xmlString1='<order id="4323251">
<customer firstname="Philip" lastname="Cramer" accountNum="21"/>
<items>
<item id="43">
<quantity>1</quantity>
<unitprice>15.95</unitprice>
</item>
</items>
</order>'
>
<!--- An invalid XML string, missing the </item> close tag --->
<cfset xmlString2='<order id="4323251">
<customer firstname="Philip" lastname="Cramer" accountNum="21"/>
<items>
<item id="43">
<quantity>1</quantity>
<unitprice>15.95</unitprice>
</items>
</order>'
>
<!--- Test the strings to see if they are well formed XML --->
<cfoutput>
xmlString1 contains the following text:<br><br>
#HTMLCodeFormat(xmlstring1)#
Is it well formed XML text? #IsXML(xmlString1)#<br><br>
<hr>
xmlString2 contains the following text:<br><br>
#HTMLCodeFormat(xmlstring2)#
Is it well formed XML text? #IsXML(xmlString2)#
</cfoutput>
We're glad. Tell us how this page helped.
We're sorry. Can you tell us what didn't work for you?
Share additional feedback to help us improve.
0/255
|
