Thanks Joe. I wont be able to test this until tomorrow, but I think I 
understand how it will work. Although I still dont quite understand why using 
the more intuitive expression is incorrect syntax.

"Joe Fawcett" wrote:

> 
> "Paul Hester" <PaulHester@d...> wrote in message 
> news:ABB902C6-D0EF-4DDB-8A89-FA87AAFA15B1@m......
> >I have the following template which I'm calling with <xsl:call-template>:
> >
> > <xsl:template name="DerefAttr">
> > <xsl:param name="id" />
> > <xsl:param name="attr" />
> > <xsl:attribute name="{$attr}">
> > <xsl:value-of select="id($id)/@$attr" />
> > </xsl:attribute>
> > </xsl:template>
> >
> > But VS2005 reports this error on <xsl:value-of select="id($id)/@$attr" />
> > Error 9: Expected a node test, found '$'.  id($id)/@ -->$<-- attr
> >
> > Can anyone help me get the select expression correct? I need the 
> > expression
> > to use the XPath id() function to select the node with the $id param, and
> > then the attribute value of the attribute name contained in the $attr 
> > param.
> > Thx,
> > -paul
> 
> I think you need:
> 
> <xsl:value-of select="id($id)/@*[name() = $attr]" />
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Joe Fawcett -  XML MVP
> 
> https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile=8AA9D5F5-E1C2-44C7-BCE8-8741D22D17A5
> 
> 
>