Structure and tag documents for XML

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to structure content and apply XML tags for export workflows in Adobe InDesign.

The Structure dialog box presents a hierarchical view of all items marked with XML tags. These tagged items, called elements, define both the order and relationships of content in a document.

Use the Structure dialog box

To open the Structure dialog box, select View > Structure > Show Structure.

To close the Structure dialog box, select View > Structure > Hide Structure.

Select the triangle next to the element to expand or collapse an element (and display or hide any child elements).

To adjust the size of the Structure pane, hover on the panel border till you view the resize cursor and drag it.

Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) while clicking the triangle next to the element to expand or contract an element and all elements within it.

Select Show Text Snippets or Hide Text Snippets from the Structure panel menu icon to show or hide text snippets.

Rearrange structured elements

Select View > Structure > Show Structure to open the Structure dialog box.

To make an element a child of another element, either position it over the parent element to highlight it or place it amongst the parent’s other child elements, and then release the mouse button.

To make an element a child of another element, either position it over the parent element to highlight it or place it amongst the parent’s other child elements, and then release the mouse button.

To demote an element by one level in the hierarchy, drag it just above another parent element and move it to the left slightly until the line indicating its placement spans the width of the parent element.

To copy or cut an element, select the element or elements in the Structure dialog box, and then navigate to Edit > Copy or Edit > Cut. Select the element directly above where you want to insert the element, and select Edit > Paste.

Insert a parent element

Select View > Structure > View Structure.

Select the Structure panel menu icon and select New Parent Element.

Select a Tag from the dropdown in the Select Tag for Element dialog Box.

Select OK.

Add an attribute

Select View > Structure > View Structure.

Select an element.

Select the Add an attribute icon in the Structure dialog box.

Enter a Name and Value in the New Attribute dialog box.

Select OK.

Show or hide attributes in the Structure pane

Select View > Structure > View Structure.

Select the Structure panel menu icon in the Structure dialog box.

Select Show Attributes or Hide Attributes from the Structure panel menu icon.

Edit or delete an attribute

Select View > Structure > View Structure.

Select an Attribute from the Structure dialog box and right-click and do one of the following:
Select Edit and modify the Name and Value to make changes to the attribute.
Select Delete to remove the attribute.

Create an XML tag

Select Window > Utilities > Tags to open the Tags dialog box.

Select New Tag from the Tags panel menu icon.

Enter a Name and select a Color from the dropdown menu in the New Tag dialog box.

Select OK.