Is it possible to split a string across multiple lines in an XML file? If so, how?

Question

I've got an XML config file with some really long strings. Generally, I format my source files, etc. so that they can be read without scrolling. I'd like to do the same to this config file.

Is there a way to split the string across more than one line? Hopefully, what I'm asking for is obvious but a picture says a thousand words so, e.g. value, below.

<add name="validation"      type="Microsoft.Practices.EnterpriseLibrary.Validation.Integration.WCF.ValidationElement, Microsoft.Practices.EnterpriseLibrary.Validation.Integration.WCF, Version=4.1.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35" /> 

If I break the above string to look like this:

<add name="validation"      type="Microsoft.Practices.EnterpriseLibrary.Validation.Integration.WCF.ValidationElement,      Microsoft.Practices.EnterpriseLibrary.Validation.Integration.WCF, Version=4.1.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35" /> 

my apps fails with:

"An error occurred creating the configuration section handler for system.serviceModel/behaviors: Extension element 'validation' cannot be added to this element. Verify that the extension is registered in the extension collection at system.serviceModel/extensions/behaviorExtensions. Parameter name: element "

It seems that it's sensitive to line-breaks in the string.

Answer 1

All line breaks are normalized to spaces, so just put them on a separate line if the space delimiter can handle arbitrary whitespace.