How do I access xml data imported from an external as. file

1

I am using Action Script 3.

I have loaded some xml data using an external as file called importxml.as.
If I put a trace statement in it to access the content it works perfectly.
But how do I access the data from the Flash main timeline or from another as file?
I am using the statement “import xmlimport” but if I then write:
trace(xmldata.category[1].word[1].text); I get the message;

1120: Access of undefined property xmldata.

If I try this on the main timeline

var myXML:xmlimport=new xmlimport();

I get the error message

TypeError: Error #1010: A term is undefined and has no properties.