AWE's XML actions require a basic understanding of XML and related terms, such as XPath, DTD and XSLT.

When creating an XML task, it is required that an XML session name is initially generated using the Start XML Session action. This session can be identified by subsequent XML steps which include the same session name. This allows several XML documents to be active simultaneously within the same task. When an XML session is created, the XML file bound by that session becomes locked. An End XML Session action can be used to end the current session. This frees the session name to be used in a different session and unlocks the XML file bound to that session.

During an XML session, modifications are not performed on the original XML file bound by that session. Rather, as a safety measure, a copy of the file is saved to memory upon the creation of a session. Any modifications performed by subsequent XML steps are performed on the copy of the XML data saved to memory. The Output XML File action can be used to output the in-memory representation of the XML session to a file or variable before ending the XML session. Using this action does not change the XML or end the session, thus allowing subsequent XML steps to continue using the session.