Remove a set of XML elements with Powershell

Question

I have something similar to the following in an XML document: ``` ctrl_btn button ctrl_snpt_calctrl The date entered must be less than or equal to ``` I am able to use Powershell to pull out certain elements within the document (such as grabbing the name or value element based on an index number). However, I don't follow how those indices work (or whatever the indices may be called). For example, look for name[1] gives me ctrl_btn, but I would have assumed that would be name[0]. Could someone explain that? My real problem, however, is creating a script that removes certain collections of elements within the document. For example, if I want to remove the following: ``` ctrl_snpt_calctrl The date entered must be less than or equal to ``` I have searched around, but most examples only remove a certain node from t…

Accepted Answer

Assuming you have a string array with each element being the name of a variable element you want to remove, you could do the following:

```
$names = 'ctrl_btn','ctrl_snpt_calctrl'

$xml.variables.variable | ? { $names -contains $_.name } | % {$xml.variables.RemoveChild($_)}
```

I am able to use Powershell to pull out certain elements within the document (such as grabbing the name or value element based on an index number). However, I don't follow how those indices work (or whatever the indices may be called). For example, look for name[1] gives me ctrl_btn, but I would have assumed that would be name[0]. Could someone explain that?

Xml order is not guaranteed, so don't rely on this. On my machine, for example, I get the results you expect:

```
$xml.variables.variable.name[0] = ctrl_btn

$xml.variables.variable.name[1] = ctrl_snpt_calctrl
```

Remove a set of XML elements with Powershell

Solution

Problem