XML XSLT Transformer

A powerful VS Code extension to transform XML documents using XSLT. No Java/JAR dependencies required - everything runs in Node.js with the xslt-processor library for reliable XSLT transformation.

Features

• 🚀 No Java Required: Uses Node.js instead of Java for fast transformations
• 📄 Multiple Output Formats: Supports HTML, XML, XHTML, Text, JSON, and Adaptive output methods
• 🔍 Smart XSL Detection: Automatically finds XSL files via XML processing instructions or filename matching
• 🎨 Auto-Formatting: Beautifies output for better readability
• 🖱️ Context Menu Integration: Right-click on XML files for quick access
• ⚡ Fast & Lightweight: Minimal footprint with instant transformations

Installation

1. Download the .vsix file from the Releases page
2. In VS Code: Extensions > Install from VSIX... or drag the file into the editor
3. Reload VS Code

Usage

Method 1: Command Palette

1. Open an XML file in VS Code
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac)
3. Type "XSL: Transform XML" and select it

Method 2: Context Menu

1. Right-click on an open XML file
2. Select "XSL: Transform XML" from the context menu

How It Works

1. XSL Detection: The extension looks for XSL references in XML <?xml-stylesheet?> processing instructions
2. Fallback: If no reference found, it searches for a same-name .xsl file in the same directory
3. Transformation: Uses the xslt-processor library for reliable XSLT 1.0+ processing
4. Output: Saves the result with appropriate extension based on XSL output method

Output Formats

The extension automatically detects the output format from your XSL:

Example

XML File (data.xml)

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="transform.xsl"?>
<books>
  <book id="1">
    <title>XML Guide</title>
    <author>John Doe</author>
  </book>
</books>

XSL File (transform.xsl)

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0" xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform">
  <xsl:output method="html"/>
  <xsl:template match="/">
    <html>
      <body>
        <h1>Book List</h1>
        <ul>
          <xsl:for-each select="books/book">
            <li><xsl:value-of select="title"/> by <xsl:value-of select="author"/></li>
          </xsl:for-each>
        </ul>
      </body>
    </html>
  </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>

Output (data.html)

<html>
  <body>
    <h1>Book List</h1>
    <ul>
      <li>XML Guide by John Doe</li>
    </ul>
  </body>
</html>

Requirements

• Visual Studio Code 1.115.0 or later
• Local XML and XSL files

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Test thoroughly
5. Submit a pull request

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Support

If you encounter issues or have questions:

• Check the Issues page
• Create a new issue with detailed information
• Include sample XML/XSL files if possible

Notes

• The extension uses the xslt-processor npm package.
• No Java or external processor is required.
• If no stylesheet instruction is present and no same-name XSL file exists, the extension will report the missing XSL file.

Release Notes

1.0.0

• Initial public version with XML/XSL transformation support.