How to set root node name when XmlSerializing an array?

Question

I have an array of objects which I want to serialize as XML. These objects are annotated to set XML node names but I was wondering how to set the name of the XML root node.

The code looks like this:

// create list of items
List<ListItem> list = new List<ListItem>();
list.Add(new ListItem("A1", new Location(1, 2)));
list.Add(new ListItem("A2", new Location(2, 3)));
list.Add(new ListItem("A3", new Location(3, 4)));
list.Add(new ListItem("A4<&xyz>", new Location()));

// serialise
XmlSerializer ser = new XmlSerializer(typeof(ListItem[]));
FileStream os = new FileStream(@"d:\temp\seri.xml", FileMode.Create);
ser.Serialize(os, list.ToArray());
os.Close();

The output looks like this:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ArrayOfPlace xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Place>
    <Placename>A1</Placename>
    <Location>
      <Lat>1</Lat>
      <Long>2</Long>
    </Location>
  </Place>
  <Place>
  ...

ListItem has been renamed to Place using an XmlElement annotation, but how can I set the name of the root node to rename the 'ArrayOfPlace' node?

Darin Dimitrov · Accepted Answer · 2009-10-26 12:38:38Z

28

Try this:

XmlSerializer ser = new XmlSerializer(
    typeof(ListItem[]), 
    new XmlRootAttribute("CustomRootName"));

answered Oct 26, 2009 at 12:38

Darin Dimitrov

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1 Comment

dbc Over a year ago

Do note that it is necessary to cache the serializer for reuse later, otherwise one will have a severe memory leak. See Memory Leak using StreamReader and XmlSerializer

user1228 · Accepted Answer · 2009-10-26 12:36:28Z

3

Use the XmlRoot attribute.

answered Oct 26, 2009 at 12:36

user1228

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paul · Accepted Answer · 2009-10-26 12:40:47Z

0

Just found a solution myself as well.

It is possible to set the name of the root node when instantiating XmlSerializer. See below.

XmlSerializer ser = new XmlSerializer(typeof(ListItem[]), new XmlRootAttribute("AllPlaces"));

answered Oct 26, 2009 at 12:40

paul

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