generate-elements-for-null-values-with-the-xsinil-parameter.md

title	Generate elements for NULL values with XSINIL
description	Learn how to generate XML elements for NULL values by using the XSINIL parameter on the ELEMENTS directive.
author	MikeRayMSFT
ms.author	mikeray
ms.reviewer	randolphwest
ms.date	05/05/2022
ms.service	sql
ms.subservice	xml
ms.topic	concept-article
ms.custom	ignite-2025
helpviewer_keywords	FOR XML clause, null values null values [SQL Server], XML ELEMENTS directive XSINIL parameter

Generate elements for NULL values with the XSINIL parameter

[!INCLUDE SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance FabricSQLDB]

The ELEMENTS directive constructs XML in which each column value maps to an element in the XML. By default, if the column value is NULL, no element is added. But by specifying the optional XSINIL parameter on the ELEMENTS directive, you can request that an element is created for the NULL value. In this case, an element that has the xsi:nil attribute set to TRUE is returned for each NULL column value.

See also

• Use RAW Mode with FOR XML
• SELECT - FOR clause