---
title: "XML/JSON – Data Source"
slug: "xml-json–data-source"
tags: ["xml_json", "concept"]
updated: 2026-11-13T08:12:51Z
published: 2026-11-13T08:12:51Z
canonical: "help.dox42.com/xml-json–data-source"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dox42.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# XML/JSON – Data Source

The XML/JSON data source is used to import and structure XML or JSON data. This data can then be reused as structured data fields within the data map and your template.

XML or JSON data can be used for different purposes, such as:

- Processing REST API responses
- Structuring complex JSON payloads
- Parsing XML files
- [Integrating multi-value fields](/help/docs/integrating-multi-value-fields) to your data sources
- Passing request bodies to web services

> [!NOTE]
> Important
> 
> When adding an XML/JSON data source to your data map, you must explicitly define the structure of the XML or JSON data, as this is not taken over automatically. Only then is the specified XML or JSON element parsed, making its child elements available as data fields.

**Quick start guide for using dox42 XML/JSON Data Source**

1. [Create a document template](/help/docs/creating-a-document-template)
2. [Create a data map](/help/docs/creating-a-standard-data-map)
3. Optional: [Add a data source other than XML/JSON](/help/docs/adding-a-data-source-to-your-data-map)
4. [Add an XML/JSON file to your data map and structure its data](/help/docs/adding-an-xml-json-data-source-to-your-data-map)
5. [Insert the new data fields into your template](/help/docs/inserting-data-fields)
6. [Generate your document](/help/docs/generating-a-document-for-testing-1)