> In case of absence of any text node, wouldn't the expression yield true? I  
> thought the string-length of an empty node-set would be 0.

Sorry yes you were right. (So my answer was less right than yours:-)
<xsl:if test="string-length(EMPTYNODE/text()) = 0">
is equivalent to 
<xsl:if test="EMPTYNODE/text()">
But this still probably is not what the OP wants.

David

________________________________________________________________________
This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star. The
service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive
anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit:
http://www.star.net.uk
________________________________________________________________________