> now that would mean that i
> would have to add this to every xml file.

Yes. If you don't want to use namespaced elements then don't use a ":"
in the name. If you do want to use a namespace then you have to declare
the namespace.

It looks to me that you do not really want a namespace here and that the
prefix ref: is part of the element name, being a reference.

In that case you should not use : but instead call your element

<ref_SECTION   or <refSECTION  or <ref-SECTION  etc.

David

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