Regular Expressions 101

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An explanation of your regex will be automatically generated as you type.
Detailed match information will be displayed here automatically.
  • All Tokens
  • Common Tokens
  • General Tokens
  • Anchors
  • Meta Sequences
  • Quantifiers
  • Group Constructs
  • Character Classes
  • Flags/Modifiers
  • Substitution
  • A single character of: a, b or c
    [abc]
  • A character except: a, b or c
    [^abc]
  • A character in the range: a-z
    [a-z]
  • A character not in the range: a-z
    [^a-z]
  • A character in the range: a-z or A-Z
    [a-zA-Z]
  • Any single character
    .
  • Alternate - match either a or b
    a|b
  • Any whitespace character
    \s
  • Any non-whitespace character
    \S
  • Any digit
    \d
  • Any non-digit
    \D
  • Any word character
    \w
  • Any non-word character
    \W
  • Non-capturing group
    (?:...)
  • Capturing group
    (...)
  • Zero or one of a
    a?
  • Zero or more of a
    a*
  • One or more of a
    a+
  • Exactly 3 of a
    a{3}
  • 3 or more of a
    a{3,}
  • Between 3 and 6 of a
    a{3,6}
  • Start of string
    ^
  • End of string
    $
  • A word boundary
    \b
  • Non-word boundary
    \B

Regular Expression
No Match

r"
"
gm

Test String

Code Generator

Language

Generated Code

# coding=utf8 # the above tag defines encoding for this document and is for Python 2.x compatibility import re regex = r"<Buyer>[\s\S]+?<UserID>([^<]+)<\/UserID>" test_str = ("<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?>\n" "<soapenv:Envelope xmlns:soapenv=\"http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/\" xmlns:xsd=\"http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema\" xmlns:xsi=\"http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance\">\n" " <soapenv:Header>\n" " <ebl:RequesterCredentials soapenv:mustUnderstand=\"0\" xmlns:ebl=\"urn:ebay:apis:eBLBaseComponents\" xmlns:ns=\"urn:ebay:apis:eBLBaseComponents\">\n" " <ebl:NotificationSignature xmlns:ebl=\"urn:ebay:apis:eBLBaseComponents\">eVkp8yKqOGGl6b03ezOglA==</ebl:NotificationSignature>\n" " </ebl:RequesterCredentials>\n" " </soapenv:Header>\n" " <soapenv:Body>\n" " <GetItemTransactionsResponse xmlns=\"urn:ebay:apis:eBLBaseComponents\">\n" " <Timestamp>2018-11-06T07:14:02.377Z</Timestamp>\n" " <Ack>Success</Ack>\n" " <CorrelationID>1495072616792</CorrelationID>\n" " <Version>1083</Version>\n" " <Build>E1083_INTL_APIXO_18856824_R1</Build>\n" " <NotificationEventName>AuctionCheckoutComplete</NotificationEventName>\n" " <RecipientUserID>oz.sunshine</RecipientUserID>\n" " <EIASToken>nY+sHZ2PrBmdj6wVnY+sEZ2PrA2dj6AElYKhC5eKqQWdj6x9nY+seQ==</EIASToken>\n" " <PaginationResult>\n" " <TotalNumberOfPages>1</TotalNumberOfPages>\n" " <TotalNumberOfEntries>1</TotalNumberOfEntries>\n" " </PaginationResult>\n" " <HasMoreTransactions>false</HasMoreTransactions>\n" " <TransactionsPerPage>100</TransactionsPerPage>\n" " <PageNumber>1</PageNumber>\n" " <ReturnedTransactionCountActual>1</ReturnedTransactionCountActual>\n" " <Item>\n" " <ApplicationData>ic6d9i844054605431312608388a</ApplicationData>\n" " <AutoPay>false</AutoPay>\n" " <BuyItNowPrice currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</BuyItNowPrice>\n" " <Currency>AUD</Currency>\n" " <ItemID>222203266767</ItemID>\n" " <ListingDetails>\n" " <StartTime>2016-07-29T13:10:54.000Z</StartTime>\n" " <EndTime>2018-11-16T13:10:54.000Z</EndTime>\n" " <ViewItemURL>http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;Item=222203266767</ViewItemURL>\n" " <ViewItemURLForNaturalSearch>http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2018-NEW-Toilet-Bidet-Seat-Spray-Hygeian-Water-Clean-Unisex-Bathroom-Shattaf-AU?item=222203266767&amp;category=0&amp;cmd=ViewItem</ViewItemURLForNaturalSearch>\n" " </ListingDetails>\n" " <ListingType>FixedPriceItem</ListingType>\n" " <PaymentMethods>MoneyXferAccepted</PaymentMethods>\n" " <PaymentMethods>PayPal</PaymentMethods>\n" " <PaymentMethods>VisaMC</PaymentMethods>\n" " <PrimaryCategory>\n" " <CategoryID>101405</CategoryID>\n" " </PrimaryCategory>\n" " <PrivateListing>true</PrivateListing>\n" " <Quantity>2142</Quantity>\n" " <SecondaryCategory>\n" " <CategoryID>0</CategoryID>\n" " </SecondaryCategory>\n" " <Seller>\n" " <AboutMePage>false</AboutMePage>\n" " <EIASToken>nY+sHZ2PrBmdj6wVnY+sEZ2PrA2dj6AElYKhC5eKqQWdj6x9nY+seQ==</EIASToken>\n" " <Email>oz-sunshine@elifeonline.com.au</Email>\n" " <FeedbackScore>17305</FeedbackScore>\n" " <PositiveFeedbackPercent>99.5</PositiveFeedbackPercent>\n" " <FeedbackPrivate>false</FeedbackPrivate>\n" " <FeedbackRatingStar>YellowShooting</FeedbackRatingStar>\n" " <IDVerified>false</IDVerified>\n" " <eBayGoodStanding>true</eBayGoodStanding>\n" " <NewUser>false</NewUser>\n" " <RegistrationDate>2011-02-27T09:05:29.000Z</RegistrationDate>\n" " <Site>Australia</Site>\n" " <Status>Confirmed</Status>\n" " <UserID>oz.sunshine</UserID>\n" " <UserIDChanged>false</UserIDChanged>\n" " <UserIDLastChanged>2016-03-01T00:38:25.000Z</UserIDLastChanged>\n" " <VATStatus>VATExempt</VATStatus>\n" " <SellerInfo>\n" " <AllowPaymentEdit>true</AllowPaymentEdit>\n" " <CheckoutEnabled>true</CheckoutEnabled>\n" " <CIPBankAccountStored>false</CIPBankAccountStored>\n" " <GoodStanding>true</GoodStanding>\n" " <LiveAuctionAuthorized>false</LiveAuctionAuthorized>\n" " <MerchandizingPref>OptIn</MerchandizingPref>\n" " <QualifiesForB2BVAT>false</QualifiesForB2BVAT>\n" " <StoreOwner>true</StoreOwner>\n" " <StoreURL>http://stores.ebay.com.au/shopelife</StoreURL>\n" " <SafePaymentExempt>false</SafePaymentExempt>\n" " <TopRatedSeller>true</TopRatedSeller>\n" " </SellerInfo>\n" " </Seller>\n" " <SellingStatus>\n" " <ConvertedCurrentPrice currencyID=\"AUD\">24.74</ConvertedCurrentPrice>\n" " <CurrentPrice currencyID=\"AUD\">24.74</CurrentPrice>\n" " <QuantitySold>2074</QuantitySold>\n" " <ListingStatus>Active</ListingStatus>\n" " </SellingStatus>\n" " <Site>Australia</Site>\n" " <StartPrice currencyID=\"AUD\">24.74</StartPrice>\n" " <Title>2018 NEW Toilet Bidet Seat Spray Hygeian Water Clean Unisex Bathroom Shattaf AU</Title>\n" " <GetItFast>false</GetItFast>\n" " <SKU>FAZ0181008AU</SKU>\n" " <IntegratedMerchantCreditCardEnabled>false</IntegratedMerchantCreditCardEnabled>\n" " <ConditionID>1000</ConditionID>\n" " <ConditionDisplayName>Brand New</ConditionDisplayName>\n" " </Item>\n" " <TransactionArray>\n" " <Transaction>\n" " <AmountPaid currencyID=\"AUD\">26.74</AmountPaid>\n" " <AdjustmentAmount currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</AdjustmentAmount>\n" " <ConvertedAdjustmentAmount currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</ConvertedAdjustmentAmount>\n" " <Buyer>\n" " <AboutMePage>false</AboutMePage>\n" " <EIASToken>nY+sHZ2PrBmdj6wVnY+sEZ2PrA2dj6wNloajDJCLqQ6dj6x9nY+seQ==</EIASToken>\n" " <Email>rany_morcos@hotmail.com</Email>\n" " <FeedbackScore>72</FeedbackScore>\n" " <PositiveFeedbackPercent>100.0</PositiveFeedbackPercent>\n" " <FeedbackPrivate>false</FeedbackPrivate>\n" " <FeedbackRatingStar>Blue</FeedbackRatingStar>\n" " <IDVerified>false</IDVerified>\n" " <eBayGoodStanding>true</eBayGoodStanding>\n" " <NewUser>false</NewUser>\n" " <RegistrationDate>2009-09-15T09:57:47.000Z</RegistrationDate>\n" " <Site>Australia</Site>\n" " <Status>Confirmed</Status>\n" " <UserID>ranoon1</UserID>\n" " <UserIDChanged>false</UserIDChanged>\n" " <UserIDLastChanged>2009-09-15T09:57:46.000Z</UserIDLastChanged>\n" " <VATStatus>VATTax</VATStatus>\n" " <BuyerInfo>\n" " <ShippingAddress>\n" " <Name>Rany Morcos</Name>\n" " <Street1>6/303 maroondah highway</Street1>\n" " <CityName>Croydon North</CityName>\n" " <StateOrProvince>Victoria</StateOrProvince>\n" " <Country>AU</Country>\n" " <CountryName>Australia</CountryName>\n" " <Phone>0450076244</Phone>\n" " <PostalCode>3136</PostalCode>\n" " <AddressID>6616753013013</AddressID>\n" " <AddressOwner>eBay</AddressOwner>\n" " <AddressUsage>DefaultShipping</AddressUsage>\n" " </ShippingAddress>\n" " </BuyerInfo>\n" " <UserAnonymized>false</UserAnonymized>\n" " <StaticAlias>ranoon_dy3756phf@members.ebay.com.au</StaticAlias>\n" " </Buyer>\n" " <ShippingDetails>\n" " <ChangePaymentInstructions>true</ChangePaymentInstructions>\n" " <PaymentEdited>true</PaymentEdited>\n" " <PaymentInstructions>Methods of payment we accept：1. All major Credit Cards through Paypal.</PaymentInstructions>\n" " <SalesTax>\n" " <SalesTaxPercent>0.0</SalesTaxPercent>\n" " <ShippingIncludedInTax>false</ShippingIncludedInTax>\n" " <SalesTaxAmount currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</SalesTaxAmount>\n" " </SalesTax>\n" " <ShippingServiceOptions>\n" " <ShippingService>AU_Regular</ShippingService>\n" " <ShippingServiceCost currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</ShippingServiceCost>\n" " <ShippingServiceAdditionalCost currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</ShippingServiceAdditionalCost>\n" " <ShippingServicePriority>1</ShippingServicePriority>\n" " <ExpeditedService>false</ExpeditedService>\n" " <ShippingTimeMin>2</ShippingTimeMin>\n" " <ShippingTimeMax>6</ShippingTimeMax>\n" " </ShippingServiceOptions>\n" " <ShippingServiceOptions>\n" " <ShippingService>AU_RegularParcelWithTracking</ShippingService>\n" " <ShippingServiceCost currencyID=\"AUD\">2.0</ShippingServiceCost>\n" " <ShippingServiceAdditionalCost currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</ShippingServiceAdditionalCost>\n" " <ShippingServicePriority>2</ShippingServicePriority>\n" " <ExpeditedService>false</ExpeditedService>\n" " <ShippingTimeMin>2</ShippingTimeMin>\n" " <ShippingTimeMax>6</ShippingTimeMax>\n" " </ShippingServiceOptions>\n" " <ShippingServiceOptions>\n" " <ShippingService>AU_Express</ShippingService>\n" " <ShippingServiceCost currencyID=\"AUD\">100.0</ShippingServiceCost>\n" " <ShippingServiceAdditionalCost currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</ShippingServiceAdditionalCost>\n" " <ShippingServicePriority>3</ShippingServicePriority>\n" " <ExpeditedService>true</ExpeditedService>\n" " <ShippingTimeMin>1</ShippingTimeMin>\n" " <ShippingTimeMax>3</ShippingTimeMax>\n" " </ShippingServiceOptions>\n" " <InternationalShippingServiceOption>\n" " <ShippingService>AU_AirMailInternational</ShippingService>\n" " <ShippingServiceCost currencyID=\"AUD\">25.0</ShippingServiceCost>\n" " <ShippingServiceAdditionalCost currencyID=\"AUD\">0.0</ShippingServiceAdditionalCost>\n" " <ShippingServicePriority>1</ShippingServicePriority>\n" " <ShipToLocation>NZ</ShipToLocation>\n" " </InternationalShippingServiceOption>\n" " <ShippingType>Flat</ShippingType>\n" " <SellingManagerSalesRecordNumber>59381</SellingManagerSalesRecordNumber>\n" " <ThirdPartyCheckout>false</ThirdPartyCheckout>\n" " <TaxTable/>\n" " <GetItFast>false</GetItFast>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>Africa</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>Asia</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>Central America and Caribbean</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>Europe</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>Middle East</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>North America</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>Southeast Asia</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>South America</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>AS</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>CK</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>FJ</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>PF</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>GU</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>KI</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>MH</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>FM</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>NR</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>NC</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>NU</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>PW</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>PG</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>SB</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>TO</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>TV</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " <ExcludeShipToLocation>VU</ExcludeShipToLocation>\n" " </ShippingDetails>\n" " <ConvertedAmountPaid currencyID=\"AUD\">26.74</ConvertedAmountPaid>\n" " <ConvertedTransactionPrice currencyID=\"AUD\">24.74</ConvertedTransactionPrice>\n" " <CreatedDate>2018-11-06T07:13:02.000Z</CreatedDate>\n" " <DepositType>None</DepositType>\n" " <QuantityPurchased>1</QuantityPurchased>\n" " <Status>\n" " <eBayPaymentStatus>NoPaymentFailure</eBayPaymentStatus>\n" " <CheckoutStatus>CheckoutComplete</CheckoutStatus>\n" " <LastTimeModified>2018-11-06T07:14:01.000Z</LastTimeModified>\n" " <PaymentMethodUsed>PayPal</PaymentMethodUsed>\n" " <CompleteStatus>Complete</CompleteStatus>\n" " <BuyerSelectedShipping>true</BuyerSelectedShipping>\n" " <PaymentHoldStatus>None</PaymentHoldStatus>\n" " <IntegratedMerchantCreditCardEnabled>false</IntegratedMerchantCreditCardEnabled>\n" " </Status>\n" " <TransactionID>2160627739012</TransactionID>\n" " <TransactionPrice currencyID=\"AUD\">24.74</TransactionPrice>\n" " <BestOfferSale>false</BestOfferSale>\n" " <ExternalTransaction>\n" " <ExternalTransactionID>7E2132560L3706829</ExternalTransactionID>\n" " <ExternalTransactionTime>2018-11-06T07:14:00.000Z</ExternalTransactionTime>\n" " <FeeOrCreditAmount currencyID=\"AUD\">0.59</FeeOrCreditAmount>\n" " <PaymentOrRefundAmount currencyID=\"AUD\">26.74</PaymentOrRefundAmount>\n" " <ExternalTransactionStatus>Succeeded</ExternalTransactionStatus>\n" " </ExternalTransaction>\n" " <ShippingServiceSelected>\n" " <ShippingService>AU_RegularParcelWithTracking</ShippingService>\n" " <ShippingServiceCost currencyID=\"AUD\">2.0</ShippingServiceCost>\n" " </ShippingServiceSelected>\n" " <BuyerMessage>oz-sunshine@elifeonline.com.au</BuyerMessage>\n" " <PaidTime>2018-11-06T07:14:01.000Z</PaidTime>\n" " <ContainingOrder>\n" " <OrderID>222203266767-2160627739012</OrderID>\n" " <OrderStatus>Completed</OrderStatus>\n" " </ContainingOrder>\n" " <FinalValueFee currencyID=\"AUD\">1.58</FinalValueFee>\n" " <TransactionSiteID>Australia</TransactionSiteID>\n" " <Platform>eBay</Platform>\n" " <PayPalEmailAddress>support@elifeonline.com.au</PayPalEmailAddress>\n" " <BuyerGuaranteePrice currencyID=\"AUD\">20000.0</BuyerGuaranteePrice>\n" " <ActualShippingCost currencyID=\"AUD\">2.0</ActualShippingCost>\n" " <OrderLineItemID>222203266767-2160627739012</OrderLineItemID>\n" " <IsMultiLegShipping>false</IsMultiLegShipping>\n" " <IntangibleItem>false</IntangibleItem>\n" " <MonetaryDetails>\n" " <Payments>\n" " <Payment>\n" " <PaymentStatus>Succeeded</PaymentStatus>\n" " <Payer type=\"eBayUser\">ranoon1</Payer>\n" " <Payee type=\"eBayUser\">oz.sunshine</Payee>\n" " <PaymentTime>2018-11-06T07:14:00.000Z</PaymentTime>\n" " <PaymentAmount currencyID=\"AUD\">26.74</PaymentAmount>\n" " <ReferenceID type=\"ExternalTransactionID\">7E2132560L3706829</ReferenceID>\n" " <FeeOrCreditAmount currencyID=\"AUD\">0.59</FeeOrCreditAmount>\n" " </Payment>\n" " </Payments>\n" " </MonetaryDetails>\n" " </Transaction>\n" " </TransactionArray>\n" " <PayPalPreferred>false</PayPalPreferred>\n" " </GetItemTransactionsResponse>\n" " </soapenv:Body>\n" "</soapenv:Envelope>\n") matches = re.finditer(regex, test_str, re.MULTILINE) for matchNum, match in enumerate(matches, start=1): print ("Match {matchNum} was found at {start}-{end}: {match}".format(matchNum = matchNum, start = match.start(), end = match.end(), match = match.group())) for groupNum in range(0, len(match.groups())): groupNum = groupNum + 1 print ("Group {groupNum} found at {start}-{end}: {group}".format(groupNum = groupNum, start = match.start(groupNum), end = match.end(groupNum), group = match.group(groupNum))) # Note: for Python 2.7 compatibility, use ur"" to prefix the regex and u"" to prefix the test string and substitution.

Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for Python, please visit: https://docs.python.org/3/library/re.html