Add xml node to xml file using python

Question

I wonder if it’s better to add an element while opening a file, look for a “good place” and add a line containing xml code. Or use the library ... I have no idea. I know how I can get nodes and properties from xml via, for example, lxml, but what is the easiest and best way to add?

Answer 1

You can use lxml.etree.Element to create xml node (s), and use append or insert to attach them to an XML document:

data='''\ <root> <node1> <node2 a1="x1"> ... </node2> <node2 a1="x2"> ... </node2> <node2 a1="x1"> ... </node2> </node1> </root> ''' doc = lxml.etree.XML(data) e=doc.find('node1') child = lxml.etree.Element("node3",attrib={'a1':'x3'}) child.text='...' e.insert(1,child) print(lxml.etree.tostring(doc)) 

gives:

 <root> <node1> <node2 a1="x1"> ... </node2> <node3 a1="x3">...</node3><node2 a1="x2"> ... </node2> <node2 a1="x1"> ... </node2> </node1> </root> 

Answer 2

The safest way to add nodes to an XML document is to load it into the DOM, add nodes programmatically, and write it again. There are several Python XML libraries. I used mini-humor, but I have no reason to recommend it specifically over others.