---
title: "s.message-number"
description: "## Syntax **s.message-number** ## Purpose The s.message-number annotation is used to tag a span element as being the identifier of a message generated by a piece of software. This is the format in which it may appear in logs or…"
url: "https://www.stilo.com/docs/migrate/task/s-message-number/"
updated: "2023-12-11"
category: Annotations / Task
tags:
  - Annotations
---

# s.message-number

## Syntax

**s.message-number**

## Purpose

The s.message-number annotation is used to tag a span element as being the identifier of a message generated by a piece of software. This is the format in which it may appear in logs or internal operations, but not necessarily what the user sees through the software interface.

## Example

The following is an example of a time when you might want to use the annotation

![](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/stilo-dita-xml-annotation-s.message-number0.png)

 

The following is an example of a rule that will apply the annotation

![](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/stilo-dita-xml-annotation-s.message-number1.png)

The following is the DITA XML output for the rule:

<p>In this output, **<msgnum>cn:start</msgnum>** means that the cn command has been initiated.</p>

<p>The output **<msgnum>cn:name</msgnum>** means that the file has been created and assigned an autogenerated filename. In such a case, the user will see a popup that reads <msgph>Filename generated successfully</msgph>.</p>

<p>The output **<msgnum>cn:end</msgnum>** means that the file has been created successfully. The user will see a popup that reads <msgph>File created successfully</msgph>.</p>

<p>If at any time the output **<msgnum>cn:fail</msgnum>** appears, that means that the file has not been successfully created. The software has failed and must be restarted. This will create a popup that reads <msgph>Error: File not created</msgph>.</p>