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Learn how to avoid bad formatting when generating XML with boolean conditions in Python's lxml library. Improve your XML output today!
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How to pretty-print XML with Conditional Elements using ElementMaker

When working with XML in Python, especially using the lxml library, it can be frustrating to encounter formatting issues, particularly when conditionally adding elements. If you generate XML with an element based on a boolean expression, you may end up with undesirable spaces appearing in your output. This blog will explore how to neatly format your XML, even when some elements are conditional.

The Problem: Bad Formatting in XML Output

You might encounter a situation where your XML output looks correct when all necessary elements are included. However, if a certain condition leads to an element being omitted, you might end up with unintentional extra spaces in the resulting XML, which leads to bad formatting. Here’s a simple code example to illustrate the problem:

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The Current Output:

When running this code with condition set to False, your XML looks like this:

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Unfortunately, this is not very readable! Instead, we'd like to achieve proper indentation in our XML.

The Desired Output:

We want our XML to look like this, emphasizing clarity and structure:

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The Solution: Traditional XML Construction

Upon contemplating the problem, it becomes apparent that using a conditional expression directly in the element creation results in formatting issues. A more reliable alternative is to use traditional methods for building your XML. Here are a few organized approaches to achieving the desired output.

Approach 1: Appending Elements Conditionally

Instead of trying to place the note element in the initial construction, create the topic element first, then append elements based on the condition.

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Approach 2: Inserting Elements after Creation

You can also create the topic element without the note, and then insert it where needed:

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Complete Example

To consolidate the concepts discussed, here's a complete code example that demonstrates how to conditionally include elements without compromising formatting:

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Conclusion

By using traditional append and insert methods instead of attempting conditional inline element generation, you can achieve clean and well-formatted XML outputs. This not only enhances readability but also makes maintaining and modifying your code simpler. Next time you encounter issues with XML formatting in Python, remember these techniques to improve your output!

Now get started on creating aesthetically pleasing XML outputs in your projects!