---
title: Fixing Common Errors: The Entity Name Must Immediately Follow the '&' in the Entity Reference Explained
description: A comprehensive guide to understanding and resolving the common XML error "The entity name must immediately follow the '&' in the entity reference."
---
One of the most common errors developers encounter when working with XML files is the following error message:
The entity name must immediately follow the '&' in the entity reference.
This error occurs when there is a syntax issue with the use of entities in your XML document. In this guide, we will explain the cause of this error and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it. Additionally, we have included a FAQ section to address common questions related to this error.
## Understanding Entities in XML
Entities in XML are a way to represent special characters or symbols that cannot be included directly in an XML document. They are typically used for characters such as `<`, `>`, and `&`, which have special meanings in XML. An entity reference starts with an ampersand (`&`) and ends with a semicolon (`;`). Some common examples of entities include:
- `<`: Represents the `<` character
- `>`: Represents the `>` character
- `&`: Represents the `&` character
For more information on entities in XML, refer to the [W3C XML specification](https://www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml/#sec-predefined-ent).
## Identifying the Issue
The error "The entity name must immediately follow the '&' in the entity reference" is caused when there is a syntax issue with an entity reference in your XML document. This typically occurs when:
1. The entity name is missing or incorrectly written.
2. The semicolon (`;`) terminating the entity reference is missing.
To fix this error, you need to identify the problematic entity reference and correct its syntax.
## Resolving the Error
Follow the steps below to identify and fix the error in your XML document:
1. Open your XML document in a text editor or an XML editor.
2. Search for all occurrences of the ampersand (`&`) character.
3. For each occurrence, check if the entity reference is correctly formed:
- Ensure the entity name is correct and immediately follows the `&` character.
- Ensure the entity reference ends with a semicolon (`;`).
4. Correct any problematic entity references.
5. Save your changes and re-validate your XML document.
Now your XML document should no longer display the "The entity name must immediately follow the '&' in the entity reference" error.
## FAQ
### What is an entity in XML?
An entity in XML is a way to represent special characters, strings, or symbols that cannot be included directly in an XML document. They are used to ensure the document remains well-formed and can be properly parsed by XML processors.
### How do I create a custom entity in XML?
Custom entities can be defined in the `<!DOCTYPE>` declaration of your XML document using the `<!ENTITY>` notation. For example:
```xml
<!DOCTYPE example [
<!ENTITY myEntity "This is a custom entity.">
]>
<example>
&myEntity;
</example>
Can I use numeric character references instead of named entities?
Yes, you can use numeric character references to represent special characters in your XML document. Numeric character references use the &# notation followed by the character's Unicode code point value and a semicolon (;). For example, < can be represented as <.
What are the most common predefined entities in XML?
The five predefined entities in XML are:
<: Represents the<character>: Represents the>character&: Represents the&character': Represents the'character": Represents the"character
Can I use entities in XML attributes?
Yes, entities can be used within attribute values. However, you must ensure that the entity references are correctly formed and that the attribute value is properly quoted.