Introduction to XSL-FO

XSL-FO is used to format XML data for output.

Basics to have before learning:

Before learning XSL-FO, you should have a basic understanding of XML and XML namespaces.

If you wish to learn these projects first, please read ourXML Tutorial》。

What is XSL-FO?

  • XSL-FO is a language used for formatting XML data
  • XSL-FO stands for Extensible Stylesheet Language Formatting Objects
  • XSL-FO is a W3C recommended standard
  • XSL-FO is usually referred to as XSL at present

XSL-FO is related to formatting

XSL-FO is a markup language based on XML, used to describe the formatting (information) of XML data for output to the screen, paper, or other media.

XSL-FO is usually referred to as XSL at present

Why is there such confusion? Are XSL-FO and XSL the same thing?

It can be said like this, but we need to explain to you:

Styling (Styling) is aboutTransformation InformationandFormatting InformationTwo types of information. When the W3C wrote their first XSL working draft, the draft included the syntax of a language for transforming and formatting XML documents.

Later, the XSL working group divided this original draft into independent standards:

  • XSLT is a language used for transforming XML documents
  • XSL and XSL-FO are languages used to format XML documents
  • XPath is a language for navigating XML documents through elements and attributes

The rest of this tutorial is about the formatting of the document: XSL-FO, also known as XSL.

You can read more about XSLT in ourXSLT Tutorial》.

You can read more about XSLT in ourXPath Tutorial》for more information about XPath.

XSL-FO is a web standard

XSL-FO was established as a W3C Recommendation Standard on October 15, 2001. It is usually referred to as XSL.

For more information about W3C's XSL activities, please read ourW3C Tutorial》。