XSD Complex Text-Only Elements

A complex text-only element can contain text and attributes.

Complex Text-Only Elements

This type contains only simple content (text and attributes), therefore we add a simpleContent element around the content. When using simple content, you must define an extension OR a restriction within the simpleContent element, like this:

<xs:element name="somename">
  <xs:complexType>
    <xs:simpleContent>
      <xs:extension base="basetype">
        ....
        ....
      </xs:extension>     
    </xs:simpleContent>
  </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>

<xs:element name="somename">
  <xs:complexType>
    <xs:simpleContent>
      <xs:restriction base="basetype">
        ....
        ....
      </xs:restriction>     
    </xs:simpleContent>
  </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>

Tip: Use the extension/restriction element to expand or to limit the base simple type for the element.

Here is an example of an XML element, "shoesize", that contains text-only:

<shoesize country="france">35</shoesize>

The following example declares a complexType, "shoesize". The content is defined as an integer value, and the "shoesize" element also contains an attribute named "country":

<xs:element name="shoesize">
  <xs:complexType>
    <xs:simpleContent>
      <xs:extension base="xs:integer">
        <xs:attribute name="country" type="xs:string" />
      </xs:extension>
    </xs:simpleContent>
  </xs:complexType>
</xs:element>

We could also give the complexType element a name, and let the "shoesize" element have a type attribute that refers to the name of the complexType (if you use this method, several elements can refer to the same complex type):

<xs:element name="shoesize" type="shoetype"/>

<xs:complexType name="shoetype">
  <xs:simpleContent>
    <xs:extension base="xs:integer">
      <xs:attribute name="country" type="xs:string" />
    </xs:extension>
  </xs:simpleContent>
</xs:complexType>

Learn XML with <oXygen/> XML Editor - Free Trial!

oXygen helps you learn to define, edit, validate and transform XML documents. Supported technologies include XML Schema, DTD, Relax NG, XSLT, XPath, XQuery, CSS. Understand in no time how XSLT and XQuery work by using the intuitive oXygen debugger! Do you have any XML related questions? Get free answers from the oXygen XML forum and from the video demonstrations. Download a FREE 30-day trial today!

Jump to: Top of Page or HOME or Printer friendly page

W3Schools provides material for training only. We do not warrant the correctness of its contents. The risk from using it lies entirely with the user. While using this site, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use and privacy policy.

Copyright 1999-2008 by Refsnes Data. All Rights Reserved.

W3Schools was converted to XHTML in December 1999