Adding a root xml element before another root C#

Question

I have an xml document that follows:

-<Machines>


-<Machine>


-<InstallPath >

<Component "/>

<Component "/>

<Component "/>

<Component "/>

<Component "/>


</InstallPath>

</Machine>
</Machines>

I need to add a root Manifest element before Machines pragmatically using C#.

I tried the following code and I get an error saying that the document is not properly constructed.

Here is the code I am trying:

using (XmlReader reader = cmd.ExecuteXmlReader())
                    {
                        XDocument doc = XDocument.Load(reader);
                        doc.Root.AddBeforeSelf(new XElement("Manifest"));
                        string path = outputPath + "\\" + xmlFileName;

                        doc.Save(path);    
                    }

D Stanley · Accepted Answer · 2017-03-23 16:23:24Z

1

XML can only have one "root" element. So the structure you're wanting is not valid:

<Manifest>
    ...
</Manifest>
<Machines>
    ...
</Machines>

If you want two sibling elements, they would need to be contained in another parent element.

I want the Manifest element to surround the Machines element and the Machines element to contain the rest of the xml

Then you need to create a new document:

XDocument newDoc = new XDocument(new XElement("Manifest", doc.Root));

This creates a new XDocument with a Manifest root tag, whose content is the root (and contents) of the original document.

edited Mar 23, 2017 at 16:23

answered Mar 23, 2017 at 16:07

D Stanley

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2 Comments

Mattaceten Over a year ago

Sorry Im complete new to xml, I dont want two "root elements" I want the Manifest element to surround the Machines element and the Machines element to contain the rest of the xml if that makes sense

Mattaceten Over a year ago

So if it is possible to insert the Manifest element around the Machines element and have the Manifest element as the root instead of the Machines that would be Ideal.

Ofir Winegarten · Accepted Answer · 2017-03-23 16:22:18Z

1

Create a new element with the current Root and put it in a new XDocument:

XDocument newDoc = new XDocument(new XElement("Manifest", doc.Root));

answered Mar 23, 2017 at 16:22

Ofir Winegarten

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