Storing and querying XML data in a primary table or document utilizes an index of XML data and includes creating a primary table structure, creating a primary XML index commensurate with the primary table structure, populating the primary table and the primary XML index, and running a query on the XML data in a primary table by utilizing the XML index. The XML index can be implemented as a node table. The node table may have a B.sup.+-tree structure and be populated by shredding the XML values in the primary table. The XML data may be stored as binary large objects in an XML column of the primary table. Secondary XML indexes may be created to assist in the search and retrieval of XML data stored in the primary table. Both the primary XML index and the secondary XML index tables may be created using data definition language statements.