How to get single XML element in PowerShell

Question

I have an xml file "1.xml":

<configuration >
  <application>
    <name>My Application</name>
  </application>
  <log level="info" />
</configuration>

and want to change text in name node from "My Application" to "Name from Powershell". I can do it like this:

$xml = [xml](Get-Content "1.xml");
$nameNode = $xml.configuration.application.ChildNodes.Item(0);
$nameNode.InnerText = "Name from Powershell";

But I don't like the idea to get the node by index. I want to get it by name. But this variants don't work for me:

$nameNode = $xml.configuration.application.name;

$nameNode = $xml.SelectSingleNode("//configuration/application/name");

Is there a simple way to get an element by name in PowerShell?

$xml.configuration.application.name definitely works, and setting this to a new value changes the element contents. If it "doesn't work for you", you'll have to be more specific as to what it is that's not working. — Jeroen Mostert
– Jeroen Mostert, Commented Apr 25, 2017 at 14:41

Lieven Keersmaekers · Accepted Answer · 2017-04-25 14:45:02Z

4

Following works for me. As @Jeroen said, you'll have to be more specific and provide a runnable script that shows what doesn't work.

$xml = [xml]@"
<configuration >
  <application>
    <name>My Application</name>
  </application>
  <log level="info" />
</configuration>
"@

$xml.configuration.application.name # Outputs "My Application"
$xml.configuration.application.name = "Test"
$xml.configuration.application.name # Outputs "Test"

answered Apr 25, 2017 at 14:45

Lieven Keersmaekers

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2 Comments

elshev Over a year ago

Lieven and @Jeroen, you were right, $xml.configuration.application.name works. My mistake was: I thought it returns an object with properties and tried to do things like this: $xml.configuration.application.name.InnerText = "Test"

Lieven Keersmaekers Over a year ago

been there <g>.

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