It can, but it is not required. XML was developed principally as a data interchange mechanism, and it is useful for acquiring data from, or providing it to, an affiliate site. On output, Texis can apply XML markup dynamically even if the data is stored without XML tags. On input, XML data typically would be parsed into fields; but XML mark-up can be preserved in the database if necessary. Texis Web Script contains facilities for full manipulation of XML data. Webinator (a product built on top of Texis) has a SOAP and XML API for searching.