---
title: "Exploring Large XML/XBRL Documents with XMLSpy"
date: "2009-03-19"
categories: 
  - "xbrl"
  - "xpath"
tags: 
  - "missionkit"
  - "xbrl"
  - "xmlspy"
  - "xpath"
description: Discover effective methods for navigating large XML/XBRL documents using XMLSpy, focusing on features like grid view and XPath auto-completion for enhanced data entry.
---
Status: #blog

Tags:  #missionkit #xbrl #xmlspy #xpath

Categories: [xbrl](/blog/category/xbrl.md) | [xpath+xquery](/blog/category/xpathxquery.md)
# Exploring Large XML/XBRL Documents with XMLSpy

Last week, while giving a demo of the [new XBRL capabilities in the Altova MissionKit](https://www.altova.com/solutions/xbrl-tools.html), we stumbled across an interesting question: What is the best way for a semi-technical SME (in this case a CPA) to [navigate a large XML/XBRL document](https://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xpath_analyzer_debugger.html) for data entry? XMLSpy, which is included in the MissionKit tool suite, has a lot of cool features and different views for XML data, including the ever-popular [grid view](https://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xml_editor.html) for visualizing the hierarchical structure of an instance document in a graphical manner. The ability to easily expand and collapse containers and drag and drop to change position makes [XMLSpy’s grid view](https://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xml_editor.html) a pretty good choice for the task.  

Of course let’s not forget that the XMLSpy [XML editor](https://www.altova.com/xml-editor/) also has a Find feature that would enable users to simply press **Ctrl F** or use the [Find in Files window](https://www.altova.com/features_project.html) to find any element that they are looking for… but alas, in the case of XBRL, where element names are [mindbogglingly](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mindbogglingly) verbose, this may be a challenge. Consider, for example, the US-GAAP’s aptly named <us-gaap:IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAnd IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments>. Not so much fun to type into a Find dialog... Our solution, therefore, and the winner for the easiest and most comprehensive way for even a non-technical user to [find XML elements in a large document](https://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xpath_analyzer_debugger.html), utilizes a combination of longstanding XMLSpy features (the [XPath Analyzer window](https://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xpath_analyzer_debugger.html)) and a [new feature in XMLSpy v2009](https://www.altova.com/XMLSpy_new_features_index.html), [XPath auto-completion](https://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xpath_analyzer_debugger.html). Simply begin typing the element name in the XPath Analyzer window, and XMLSpy will show you all of the possibilities. Next, choose the one you are looking for, and XMLSpy will navigate directly to that node in the XML document.  

[![xpath auto-completion in XMLSpy](https://www.altova.com/blog/images/ExploringLargeXMLXBRLDocumentswithXMLSpy_D8B1/xpath_thumb.gif)](https://www.altova.com/blog/images/ExploringLargeXMLXBRLDocumentswithXMLSpy_D8B1/xpath.gif)   

Now that was easy! And better yet, you get to tell your friends that you know XPath. ;) Of course, for developers, intelligent [XPath auto-completion](https://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xpath_analyzer_debugger.html) provides a lot more than the ability to find a node quickly. As you type, it provides you with valid XPath functions, as well as element and attribute names from the associated schema and XML instance(s). XMLSpy accounts for namespaces when listing options and even provides deep path suggestions when the required node is not in close proximity to the current context.

XMLSpy is available standalone or as part of the [award-winning MissionKit tool suite](https://www.altova.com/blog/2009/03/altova-missionkit-wins-prestigious-jolt.html).