Validating XML Files

Validating XML Files

If you are unable to open a file, it is possible that the file has invalid XML code (e.g., unclosed tags, starting tag is uppercase with a lowercase end tag). When you have files with invalid XML, they are added to the non-XML Topics window pane. Files such as these can be fixed by validating the file in Flare. See Viewing Non-XML Topics.

The non-XML topics window pane showing files with invalid XML code.

How to Validate XML Files

  1. Do one of the following, depending on the part of the user interface you are using:
    • Ribbon Select View > File List.
    • Keyboard Shortcut Press CTRL+SHIFT+J.

  2. Right-click on a file with invalid XML and select Validate XML.

    Option for validating XML when a files indicates it needs fixing.

    The XML Validator dialog opens. The left side shows the markup for the original file, and the right side shows the markup for the file after the invalid XML has been fixed. You can switch to the WYSIWYG view by clicking Show Source Code to remove the check mark.

    Side-by-side display of original and validated file with XML code.

  3. (Optional) You can click Create Backup File if you want to keep a copy of the original file in your Backups window pane. See Backups.
  4. Click Save.