How to search by attribute value
I never use the xpath syntax because it's never been intuitive for me but using the css selector interface this should work:
elems = doc.search 'elements[type="foo:elementType1"]'
EDIT:Using a trimmed down (SO character constraints) copy of the XML provided by OP, this appears to work properly using Nokogiri v1.5.0:
require 'nokogiri'xml = <<XML<files> <elements> <loginForm xsi:type="ns5:Form" xmlns:ns5="http://common.soap.yodlee.com"> <conjunctionOp>AND</conjunctionOp> <componentList> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN2</name> <displayName>Answer 1</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN2</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>LOGIN</name> <displayName>Account #</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>false</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>LOGIN</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>PASSWORD</name> <displayName>PIN</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>false</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>PASSWORD</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>PASSWORD</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoChoice"> <fieldInfoList> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_OPTIONS1</name> <displayName>Question 1</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <validValues> <elements>first three digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>last four digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>your favorite food</elements> <elements>your favorite sport</elements> <elements>your mother's maiden name</elements> <elements>your pet's name</elements> <elements>What was your first car</elements> <elements>your school mascot</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up</elements> <elements>Where do you work</elements> <elements>Where were you born</elements> <elements>Who is your hero</elements> </validValues> <displayValidValues> <elements>What are the first three digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What are the last four digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite food?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite sport?</elements> <elements>What is your mother's maiden name?</elements> <elements>What is your pet's name?</elements> <elements>What was your first car?</elements> <elements>What was your school mascot?</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school?</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up?</elements> <elements>Where do you work?</elements> <elements>Where were you born?</elements> <elements>Who is your hero?</elements> </displayValidValues> <valueIdentifier>OP_OPTIONS1</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>OPTIONS</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN1</name> <displayName>Custom Question 1</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN1</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> </fieldInfoList> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoChoice"> <fieldInfoList> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_OPTIONS2</name> <displayName>Question 2</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <validValues> <elements>first three digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>last four digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>your favorite food</elements> <elements>your favorite sport</elements> <elements>your mother's maiden name</elements> <elements>your pet's name</elements> <elements>What was your first car</elements> <elements>your school mascot</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up</elements> <elements>Where do you work</elements> <elements>Where were you born</elements> <elements>Who is your hero</elements> </validValues> <displayValidValues> <elements>What are the first three digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What are the last four digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite food?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite sport?</elements> <elements>What is your mother's maiden name?</elements> <elements>What is your pet's name?</elements> <elements>What was your first car?</elements> <elements>What was your school mascot?</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school?</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up?</elements> <elements>Where do you work?</elements> <elements>Where were you born?</elements> <elements>Who is your hero?</elements> </displayValidValues> <valueIdentifier>OP_OPTIONS2</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>OPTIONS</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN3</name> <displayName>Custom Question 2</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN3</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> </fieldInfoList> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN4</name> <displayName>Answer 2</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN4</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoChoice"> <fieldInfoList> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_OPTIONS3</name> <displayName>Question 3</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <validValues> <elements>first three digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>last four digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>your favorite food</elements> <elements>your favorite sport</elements> <elements>your mother's maiden name</elements> <elements>your pet's name</elements> <elements>What was your first car</elements> <elements>your school mascot</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up</elements> <elements>Where do you work</elements> <elements>Where were you born</elements> <elements>Who is your hero</elements> </validValues> <displayValidValues> <elements>What are the first three digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What are the last four digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite food?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite sport?</elements> <elements>What is your mother's maiden name?</elements> <elements>What is your pet's name?</elements> <elements>What was your first car?</elements> <elements>What was your school mascot?</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school?</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up?</elements> <elements>Where do you work?</elements> <elements>Where were you born?</elements> <elements>Who is your hero?</elements> </displayValidValues> <valueIdentifier>OP_OPTIONS3</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>OPTIONS</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN5</name> <displayName>Custom Question 3</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN5</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> </fieldInfoList> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN6</name> <displayName>Answer 3</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN6</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoChoice"> <fieldInfoList> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_OPTIONS4</name> <displayName>Question 4</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <validValues> <elements>first three digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>last four digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>your favorite food</elements> <elements>your favorite sport</elements> <elements>your mother's maiden name</elements> <elements>your pet's name</elements> <elements>What was your first car</elements> <elements>your school mascot</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up</elements> <elements>Where do you work</elements> <elements>Where were you born</elements> <elements>Who is your hero</elements> </validValues> <displayValidValues> <elements>What are the first three digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What are the last four digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite food?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite sport?</elements> <elements>What is your mother's maiden name?</elements> <elements>What is your pet's name?</elements> <elements>What was your first car?</elements> <elements>What was your school mascot?</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school?</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up?</elements> <elements>Where do you work?</elements> <elements>Where were you born?</elements> <elements>Who is your hero?</elements> </displayValidValues> <valueIdentifier>OP_OPTIONS4</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>OPTIONS</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN7</name> <displayName>Custom Question 4</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN7</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> </fieldInfoList> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN8</name> <displayName>Answer 4</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN8</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoChoice"> <fieldInfoList> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_OPTIONS5</name> <displayName>Question 5</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <validValues> <elements>first three digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>last four digits of your Social Security</elements> <elements>your favorite food</elements> <elements>your favorite sport</elements> <elements>your mother's maiden name</elements> <elements>your pet's name</elements> <elements>What was your first car</elements> <elements>your school mascot</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up</elements> <elements>Where do you work</elements> <elements>Where were you born</elements> <elements>Who is your hero</elements> </validValues> <displayValidValues> <elements>What are the first three digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What are the last four digits of your Social Security?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite food?</elements> <elements>What is your favorite sport?</elements> <elements>What is your mother's maiden name?</elements> <elements>What is your pet's name?</elements> <elements>What was your first car?</elements> <elements>What was your school mascot?</elements> <elements>When did you graduate from school?</elements> <elements>Where did you grow up?</elements> <elements>Where do you work?</elements> <elements>Where were you born?</elements> <elements>Who is your hero?</elements> </displayValidValues> <valueIdentifier>OP_OPTIONS5</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>OPTIONS</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN9</name> <displayName>Custom Question 5</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN9</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> </fieldInfoList> </elements> <elements xsi:type="ns5:FieldInfoSingle"> <name>OP_LOGIN10</name> <displayName>Answer 5</displayName> <isEditable>true</isEditable> <isOptional>true</isOptional> <isEscaped>false</isEscaped> <isOptionalMFA>false</isOptionalMFA> <isMFA>false</isMFA> <valueIdentifier>OP_LOGIN10</valueIdentifier> <valueMask>LOGIN_FIELD</valueMask> <fieldType>TEXT</fieldType> <size>20</size> <maxlength>40</maxlength> <fieldErrorCode xsi:nil="1"/> </elements> </componentList> </loginForm> </elements></files>XMLdoc = Nokogiri::XML(xml)doc.xpath("//elements[@type='ns5:FieldInfoSingle']").each do |element| puts element.xpath("name").textend