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>

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