Forum Discussion
ezpz97
Jan 12, 2026Copper Contributor
SQL Server 2005 (compatibility level 90)
Hello, I’m testing the behavior described in the SQL Server documentation for **compatibility level 90** regarding the special attributes `xsi:nil` and `xsi:type`: > “The special attributes `...
carlwalk
Jan 20, 2026Copper Contributor
In SQL Server 2005, the documentation saying /e/@xsi:nil can’t be queried really only applies to XML DML operations like .modify() on XML columns, not to reading the XML with XQuery in a SELECT using .query() or .value(). That’s why your typed XML variable returns xsi:nil="true"—selecting always works, even on typed XML. Basically, the restriction is about modifying xsi:nil or xsi:type, not just reading them.