The simplest way is just <xsl:number/> with no attributes.

In most cases you can also use position() - but the value of position()
depends on how the template was invoked. If it was invoked by

<xsl:template match="root">
  <xsl:apply-templates select="a"/>
</xsl:template>

then position() will give you the answer you want; but if it was

<xsl:template match="b">
 <xsl:apply-templates select=".."/>
</xsl:template>

then it won't.

count(preceding-sibling::a)+1 should also work.

Michael Kay
http://www.saxonica.com/

> -----Original Message-----
> From: nutdev2002 [mailto:nutdev2002@xxxxxxxx]
> Sent: 09 March 2005 19:00
> To: xsl-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject:  The right way to count from inside a match template
>
> Dear All,
>  I am sure this is a old chestnut of a question, but I just cannot get
> it to work.
>
> I have an xsl which is something like this:
>
> <root>
> <a><b>lots of stuff</b></a>
> <a><b>lots of stuff</b></a>
> <a><b>lots of stuff</b></a>
> <a><b>lots of stuff</b></a>
> <a><b>lots of stuff</b></a>
> <a><b>lots of stuff</b></a>
> <a><b>lots of stuff</b></a>
> </root>
>
> and I have a template
>
> <xsl:template match="a">
>
> <!--Show which element I on using-->
>
> <!--display lots of stuff-->
>
> </xsl:template>
>
> For the <!--Show which element I on using--> I am trying various
> different combinations
> of <xsl:number value="something">
>
> I have tried counting preceding siblings, position and several other
> things, and I only ever get
> a 1.
>
> I would be really grateful if you could tell me What is the
> right way to
> show 1,2,3,4,5 and then contents of each 'a4 element within the
> template.
>
> Thanks very much in advance,