XFM allows a feature to have the contents of its annotation text determined by the value of properties stored in the feature for improved accuracy. For example, a cast iron pipe with diameter of 200 mm would have annotation that reads, CI – 200. If either attribute changes, the annotation on the pipe also changes.

XFM generates annotation text from the feature’s properties using either XSLT, VBScript, or simple expressions.

Annotation Type	Description
expression	Expressions are simple strings where bracketed property names are replaced with values from the feature. When replacing domain list values, the value from the Value column is used for the PBA text. If the value from the Edit column is required then use the XFM_noFormat; option. Example using the Tree feature from geo_example PBA: [TypeCode] - [TypeCode|XFM_noFormat;] Produces
PBA (Origin X)	For cell feature, annotation text is the cell geometry origin.x value formatted with active coordinate readout settings. See the note below.
PBA (Origin Y)	For cell feature, annotation text is the cell geometry origin.y value formatted with active coordinate readout settings. See the note below.
PBA (Origin Z)	For cell or text features, annotation text is the origin.z value formatted with active coordinate readout settings. See the note below.
PBA SQL	SELECT statement with a single-row result. Annotation text is formatted with one column value per text line. Any expressions in square brackets are replaced before the SELECT statement is executed. For example: SELECT * FROM TransformerManufacturerTypes WHERE MaterialTypeId=[ManufacturerId]
XSLT	XSLT is a standard language used to transform or format XML data. XML data for the feature and the XSLT file specified in the Value column are passed to the Microsoft XML processing engine, MSXML. The XSLT files should be located in the xml\xslt subdirectory for the active workspace.
VBScript	The Microsoft IScript control is used to process the script text found in the Value column. XFM preprocesses the script so the current feature's property values are substituted for all bracketed property names. The script should contain a function that returns a string value.

1. A common way to include line breaks in the generated annotation text is to add the string "\010" at the position desired for the line break. MicroStation's standard text processing will automatically replace "\010" with linefeed characters causing a text node to be generated.
2. To specify a literal square bracket in an expression, use the XFM specifier XFM_lbkt; for a left square bracket ( [ ) or XFM_rbkt; for a right square bracket ( ] ).

For example:

XFM_lbkt;[Occupant] : [Type]XFM_rbkt;

is evaluated to:

[John Doe : Private]