> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.eximee.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.eximee.com/documentation/documentation-en/budowanie-aplikacji/interfejs-uzytkownika/formularze/tworzenie-formularza/podglad-definicji-formularza-xml.md).

# Form definition preview (XML)

Tab **Source** allows viewing and editing the technical definition of the form (also [a composite component](/documentation/documentation-en/budowanie-aplikacji/interfejs-uzytkownika/komponenty-rozszerzone/komponenty-zlozone.md) and business) in the format **XML**.\
It provides direct access to the template structure, making it possible to inspect or modify elements that are not available in the standard editor view.

## **Features**

1. **XML definition preview**
   * Displays the full form structure, including:
     * application steps and pages (`<system:Page>`),
     * base and composite components,
     * definitions of visibility and listening conditions (`<data:ListeningOn>`, `<data:ClearOn>`),
     * grid layout (`<system:Page.layout>`),
     * translations (`titleKey`, `labelKey`).
2. **Manual editing**
   * In the **Source** you can edit the application's XML code—for example, adjust layout parameters, change the number of columns, or add attributes not present in the graphical interface.
   * This is especially useful when working with more advanced properties, such as:
     * `numColumns` – number of columns on the page,
     * `horizontalSpan` – the component width in columns.
3. **Validation**
   * The system automatically validates XML syntax, and errors (e.g. missing closing tags, incorrect attributes) are flagged in the editor.
   * If a save error occurs, the form will not be saved in the repository.

**Example code snippet in the Source tab**

```xml
<system:Page id="Page3" mid="Page3" page="3" titleKey="Page3.title" fixedColumns="true">
    <p1:GesText id="GesText3" mid="GesText3" labelKey="GesText3.label" textKey="GesText3.text">
        <data:ListeningOn/>
        <data:ClearOn/>
        <p1:GesText.layoutData>
            <ns6:GridData horizontalAlignment="FILL" horizontalSpan="10" verticalAlignment="CENTER"/>
        </p1:GesText.layoutData>
    </p1:GesText>
    <system:Page.layout>
        <ns6:GridLayout makeColumnsEqualWidth="true" numColumns="12"/>
    </system:Page.layout>
    <data:Curtains/>
</system:Page>
```

The above code shows the definition of the form page with identifier 'Page3' with one label component 'GesText&#x33;*'* and a page layout in 12 columns.

## **Best practices**

* Editing in the tab **Source** should be done carefully - preferably after saving the current version of the form.
* Before making changes, it is worth checking their impact on the form in the tab **Request**.

## **Use cases**

* **Changing the number of columns** (`numColumns`), when it is not available in the graphical interface.
* **Moving page or component definitions** between forms.
* **Finding dependencies of a given component** before deleting it.

## **FAQ**

**Are changes made in Source visible immediately?**\
Yes, changes are visible after saving or switching to another editor tab.

**Can only a fragment of XML be edited?**\
Yes, any element can be edited - both a component and an entire page block - as long as the syntax is valid.

**Does the Source tab also show translations and styles?**\
Yes, translation keys are visible (`*.labelKey`, `*.titleKey`) as well as CSS classes associated with components or pages.

<figure><img src="/files/e49c5fd015c9635db66d74dd1fcc1167ad238086" alt=""><figcaption><p><em><strong>Figure 1.</strong> View of the “Source” tab in the application editor</em></p></figcaption></figure>


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