Xml Serialization - Render Empty Element

Question

I am using the XmlSerializer and have the following property in a class

public string Data { get; set; }

which I need to be output exactly like

Answer 1

try to use public bool ShouldSerialize_PropertyName_(){} with setting the default value inside.

public bool ShouldSerializeData()
{
   Data = Data ?? "";
   return true;
}

Description of why this works can be found on MSDN.