How to use the command 'xmlto' (with examples)

The ‘xmlto’ command is a versatile tool that allows you to apply an XSL stylesheet to an XML document. This command is especially useful when working with DocBook XML documents, as it provides various options for converting them to different formats, such as PDF or HTML. By using the ‘xmlto’ command, you can easily customize the styling and layout of your XML documents according to your specific needs.

Use case 1: Convert a DocBook XML document to PDF format

Code:

xmlto pdf document.xml

Motivation: Converting a DocBook XML document to PDF format is useful when you need to create a printable version of your document. This can be particularly helpful when sharing documentation or presenting information in a professional manner.

Explanation: The command ‘xmlto pdf document.xml’ tells the ‘xmlto’ command to convert the ‘document.xml’ file from DocBook XML format to PDF format.

Example output: The command will generate a PDF file named ‘document.pdf’, which contains the content of the ‘document.xml’ file in formatted PDF format.

Use case 2: Convert a DocBook XML document to HTML format and store the resulting files in a separate directory

Code:

xmlto -o path/to/html_files html document.xml

Motivation: By converting a DocBook XML document to HTML format, you can create web-friendly versions of your documents. Storing the resulting files in a separate directory allows you to keep your original XML documents separate from the HTML files, making it easier to manage and organize your files.

Explanation: The command ‘xmlto -o path/to/html_files html document.xml’ specifies the output directory using the -o option. This tells the ‘xmlto’ command to convert the ‘document.xml’ file from DocBook XML format to HTML format and store the resulting HTML files in the ‘path/to/html_files’ directory.

Example output: The ‘xmlto’ command will generate a set of HTML files in the specified directory. The resulting HTML files will contain the formatted content of the ‘document.xml’ file.

Use case 3: Convert a DocBook XML document to a single HTML file

Code:

xmlto html-nochunks document.xml

Motivation: Converting a DocBook XML document to a single HTML file can be useful when you want to have a single, standalone HTML file that contains all the content of your document. This is particularly helpful when sharing the document via email or hosting it on a website.

Explanation: The command ‘xmlto html-nochunks document.xml’ tells the ‘xmlto’ command to convert the ‘document.xml’ file from DocBook XML format to HTML format, merging all the content into a single HTML file.

Example output: The ‘xmlto’ command will generate a single HTML file named ‘document.html’, which contains all the content of the ‘document.xml’ file in formatted HTML format.

Use case 4: Specify a stylesheet to use while converting a DocBook XML document

Code:

xmlto -x stylesheet.xsl output_format document.xml

Motivation: By specifying a custom stylesheet, you can modify the styling and layout of your converted documents according to your specific requirements. This gives you more control over the appearance of the final output.

Explanation: The command ‘xmlto -x stylesheet.xsl output_format document.xml’ specifies a custom XSL stylesheet using the -x option. This tells the ‘xmlto’ command to apply the specified stylesheet while converting the ‘document.xml’ file to the specified output format.

Example output: The ‘xmlto’ command will apply the specified stylesheet to the ‘document.xml’ file and generate the output in the specified format, such as PDF or HTML. The resulting document will reflect the styling modifications defined in the custom stylesheet.