XML Editors for Technical Writers

Post by Ivan Walsh. Follow me on Twitter.

What’s the best XML Editor for technical writers? I’ve used several but tend to stick with Altova XMLSpy for editing XML code and Notepad++ as my standard text editor. Neither is perfect and have their little glitches. I’ve taken some screenshot to show what XMLSpy looks like.

Altova XMLSpy in a Nutshell

An XML editor with support for working with all XML-based technologies. Used for modeling, editing, transforming, and debugging XML-related technologies

Key features:

• XML Schema and DTD-based XML validation
• Multi-tabbed validation window for searching over multiple files
• Context-sensitive entry helpers
• Built-in XML document templates
• XPath auto-completion
• XSLT / XQuery debuggers and profilers
• Database integration
• XBRL support
• Support for OOXML in Microsoft Office 2007 and higher

XMLSpy Screenshots

XMLSpy User Interface

Schema Settings

Annotation

Run Java Macros

Generate output to PDF

You can also develop in a text view or graphical view, or switch back and forth between the two.

It does the job for me. What XML Editor do you use?

PS: The Official XMLSPY Handbook is here

About the Author: Ivan Walsh shares Technical Documentation Career tips on Klariti. Ivan also specializes in Business Plan Writing on his Business Blog

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