Hi all, Hopefully, I can wipe away some fears ... Re 1) If we add a type attribute which takes an XSD datatype as value, we should be fine wrt. validation <defaults> <default item="//trans-unit/@maxwidth type="xsd:nonNegativeInteger">72</default> <default item="//trans-unit/reformat/@edit">yes</default> </defaults> Re 2) I am under the impression, that size is sth. that matters at least in the context of the applications which I am worrying about. That's why I suggested the 'defaults' element. In addition: A way to allow defaults may make manual data entry easier. Szenario: A software developer has to say for all strings in his application: 'may not become longer than 72 characters'. 1000 strings ... Re 3) I used the phrase "XLIFF processors may use the information in the 'default' element." on purpose, since 'may' usually reads as 'are not obliged to'. Best, Christian