Which three features must all XSLT files contain to be considered valid?

For an XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) file to be considered valid in the context of Workday integrations (and per general XSLT standards), it must adhere to specific structural and functional requirements. The correct answer is that an XSLT file must containa root element,a namespace, andat least one template. Below is a detailed explanation of why this is the case, grounded in Workday’s integration practices and XSLT specifications:

Root Element:

Every valid XSLT file must have a single root element, which serves as the top-level container for the stylesheet. In XSLT, this is typically the or element (both are interchangeable, though is more common).

The root element defines the structure of the XSLT document and encapsulates all other elements, such as templates and namespaces. Without a root element, the file would not conform to XML well-formedness rules, which are a prerequisite for XSLT validity.

Example:

Namespace:

An XSLT file must declare the XSLT namespace, typically http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform, to identify it as an XSLT stylesheet and enable the processor to recognize XSLT-specific elements (e.g., , ). This is declared within the root element using the xmlns:xsl attribute.

The namespace ensures that the elements used in the stylesheet are interpreted as XSLT instructions rather than arbitrary XML. Without this namespace, the file would not function as an XSLT stylesheet, as the processor would not know how to process its contents.

In Workday’s Document Transformation integrations, additional namespaces (e.g., for Workday-specific schemas) may also be included, but the XSLT namespace is mandatory for validity.

At Least One Template:

An XSLT file must contain at least one element to define the transformation logic. Templates are the core mechanism by which XSLT processes input XML and produces output. They specify rules for matching nodes in the source XML (via the match attribute) and generating the transformed result.

Without at least one template, the stylesheet would lack any transformation capability, rendering it functionally invalid for its intended purpose. Even a minimal XSLT file requires a template to produce meaningful output, though built-in default templates exist, they are insufficient for custom transformations like those used in Workday.

Example:

Hello, Workday!

Complete Minimal Valid XSLT Example:

Transformed Data

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. A root element, namespace, and at least one transformation: While this is close, "transformation" is not a precise term in XSLT. The correct requirement is a "template," which defines the transformation logic. "Transformation" might imply the overall process, but the specific feature required in the file is a template.

C. A header, a footer, and a namespace: XSLT files do not require a "header" or "footer." These terms are not part of XSLT or XML standards. The structure is defined by the root element and templates, not headers or footers, making this option invalid.

D. A template, a prefix, and a header: While a template is required, "prefix" (likely referring to the namespace prefix like xsl:) is not a standalone feature—it’s part of the namespace declaration within the root element. "Header" is not a required component, making this option incorrect.

Workday Context:

In Workday’s Document Transformation systems (e.g., Core Connectors or custom integrations), XSLT files are uploaded as attachment transformations. Workday enforces these requirements to ensure the stylesheets can process XML data (e.g., from Workday reports or connectors) into formats suitable for external systems. The Workday platform validates these components whenan XSLT file is uploaded, rejecting files that lack a root element, namespace, or functional templates.

Workday Pro Integrations Study Guide References:

Workday Integration System Fundamentals: Describes the structure of XSLT files, emphasizing the need for a root element (), the XSLT namespace, and templates as the building blocks of transformation logic.

Document Transformation Module: Details the requirements for uploading valid XSLT files in Workday, including examples that consistently feature a root element, namespace declaration, and at least one template (e.g., "XSLT Basics for Document Transformation").

Core Connectors and Document Transformation Course Manual: Provides sample XSLT files used in labs, all of which include these three components to ensure functionality within Workday integrations.

Workday Community Documentation: Reinforces that XSLT files must be well-formed XML with an XSLT namespace and at least one template to be processed correctly by Workday’s integration engine.