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XSD Tools

Last Updated: December 2025 | Version: 1.1.0

This part of the application provides tools for working with XML Schemas (XSD). These tools help you understand, document, and use XSD files effectively.

Tab Overview

The XSD Tools section contains several tabs, each with a specific purpose:

Tab Description
Graphic View Visual schema editor with interactive tree
Type Library Browse and analyze all types in your schema
Type Editor Edit ComplexTypes and SimpleTypes graphically
Text View Raw XSD source code editor
Schema Analysis Statistics, constraints, validation, and quality checks
Documentation Generate HTML, Word, or PDF documentation
Preview Preview generated documentation
Generate Example Data Create sample XML from schema
Flatten Schema Merge includes into one file

1. Graphic View

The Graphic View lets you explore and edit your schemas visually.

XSD Graphical View The XSD schema displayed as an interactive tree

Features

  • Visual Tree: See your XSD as an interactive, hierarchical tree
  • Easy Navigation: Click on elements to explore their structure
  • Edit Documentation: Add or edit documentation for schema elements
  • Add Examples: Include example values for elements
  • Drag & Drop: Reorganize elements by dragging them
  • Full Undo/Redo: Go back and forward through your changes

How to Use

  1. Go to the XSD tab
  2. Open your XSD file
  3. The schema appears as an interactive tree
  4. Select an element by clicking on it
  5. Edit properties in the panel on the right
  6. Add children using the context menu (right-click)
  7. Drag elements to move them

Tips

  • Double-click an element to edit its name
  • Right-click for a context menu with common actions
  • Ctrl+Z to undo, Ctrl+Y to redo
  • Ctrl+S to save (a backup is created automatically)

2. Type Library

The Type Library provides a comprehensive view of all types defined in your schema.

Type Library Type Library showing all SimpleTypes and ComplexTypes

Features

Feature Description
All Types List View all SimpleTypes and ComplexTypes
Usage Information See XPath locations where each type is used
Unused Types Highlight types that are not referenced
Filter Options Filter by All, Simple, Complex, or Unused types
Search Find types by name
Documentation View documentation for each type
Export Export type list to file

How to Use

  1. Open your XSD file
  2. Go to the Type Library tab
  3. Browse or search for types
  4. Click on a type to see its details
  5. Use the filter dropdown to narrow results

Filter Options

Filter Shows
All Types Every type in the schema
Simple Types Only xs:simpleType definitions
Complex Types Only xs:complexType definitions
Unused Types Types not referenced anywhere

3. Type Editor

The Type Editor provides dedicated editing for ComplexTypes and SimpleTypes.

Type Editor Type Editor with graphical editing for ComplexTypes

Features

Feature Description
Tab-Based Editing Each type opens in its own tab
ComplexType Editor Graphical editing with element tree
SimpleType Editor Form-based editing with facet panels
SimpleTypes List Overview of all SimpleTypes

ComplexType Editor

For ComplexTypes, you get a graphical editor similar to the main schema view:

  • Type name appears as the root node
  • Add, delete, modify elements graphically
  • Supports Sequence, Choice, and All compositors
  • Save/Discard with dirty tracking

SimpleType Editor

For SimpleTypes, you get a 5-panel form editor:

Panel Description
General Name and Final attribute
Restriction Base type and facets
List ItemType selection
Union MemberTypes management
Annotation Documentation and AppInfo

How to Use

  1. In the Type Library or Graphic View, find a type
  2. Double-click or right-click and select "Edit Type"
  3. The type opens in the Type Editor tab
  4. Make your changes
  5. Click Save or use Ctrl+S

4. Text View

The Text View provides raw XSD source code editing.

XSD Text View XSD code editor with syntax highlighting

Features

  • Full Code Editor: View and edit the raw XSD source code
  • Syntax Highlighting: Color-coded code for easy reading
  • Search and Replace: Find and change text quickly
  • XPath/XQuery Panel: Query the schema with XPath
  • Save as Favorite: Quick access to frequently used schemas

5. Schema Analysis

The Schema Analysis tab provides comprehensive analysis tools for your XSD.

Schema Analysis Schema Analysis with statistics and quality checks

Sub-Tabs

The Schema Analysis tab contains four sub-tabs:

Statistics

View schema metrics at a glance:

Metric Description
Element Count Total number of elements
Type Count Number of SimpleTypes and ComplexTypes
Attribute Count Total attributes defined
Group Count Model groups and attribute groups
Namespace Info Target namespace and prefixes
XSD Version 1.0 or 1.1 features detected

Identity Constraints

View and analyze identity constraints:

Constraint Type Description
xs:key Unique key definitions
xs:keyref Foreign key references
xs:unique Unique value constraints

For each constraint, you can see:

  • Selector XPath expression
  • Field XPath expressions
  • Referenced elements

XPath Validation

Test XPath expressions against sample XML:

  1. Load or generate sample XML
  2. Enter an XPath expression
  3. See matching nodes highlighted
  4. Validate constraints against real data

Quality Checks

Automated quality checks for your schema:

Check Description
Naming Conventions Consistent element/type naming
Documentation Coverage Percentage of documented elements
Unused Types Types defined but never used
Circular References Detect circular type references
Best Practices Common XSD best practices

6. Documentation Generator

Create professional documentation from your XSD file automatically.

Documentation Generator Generated HTML documentation from an XSD schema

Output Formats

Format Description
HTML Interactive web documentation with navigation
Word Microsoft Word (.docx) document
PDF PDF document using Apache FOP

How to Generate Documentation

  1. Load your XSD file in the XSD Tools
  2. Click on the Documentation tab
  3. Select your output format (HTML, Word, or PDF)
  4. Choose diagram format (PNG or SVG)
  5. Configure options
  6. Click Generate
  7. Preview the documentation or open the folder

Generation Options

Option Description
Image Format Choose PNG or SVG for diagrams
Use Markdown Renderer Render Markdown formatting in documentation
Open file after creation Automatically open the generated file
Create example data if missing Generate sample values
Include type definitions Show type source code
Generate SVG overview page Interactive full-schema SVG

Language Settings

For multi-language schemas, you can:

  1. Click Scan Languages to detect available languages
  2. Select which languages to include
  3. Choose a fallback language for missing translations
  4. Use "Select All" or "Deselect All" for quick selection

Adding Technical Notes to Your Schema

You can add structured technical information directly in your XSD files:

Supported tags:

  • @since - When a feature was introduced
  • @see - References to other elements
  • @deprecated - Mark elements as deprecated
  • {@link /path/to/element} - Create clickable links

Example in your XSD:

<xs:element name="Transaction">
    <xs:annotation>
        <!-- User-friendly documentation -->
        <xs:documentation>
            Represents a single financial transaction.
        </xs:documentation>

        <!-- Technical notes for developers -->
        <xs:appinfo source="@since 4.0.0"/>
        <xs:appinfo source="@see {@link /FundsXML4/ControlData}"/>
        <xs:appinfo source="@deprecated Use NewTransaction instead."/>
    </xs:annotation>
</xs:element>

7. Sample XML Generator

Create sample XML files based on your XSD schema. This is useful for testing or as a template.

Sample XML Generator Sample XML generator panel

How to Use

  1. Load your XSD file
  2. Go to the Generate Example Data tab
  3. Choose your options:
    • Mandatory Only: Include only required elements
    • Max Occurrences: Limit repeating elements
  4. Click Generate
  5. Validate the generated XML against the schema
  6. Save or copy the generated XML

Options

Option Description
Create mandatory elements only Only generate required elements
Max occurrences Limit repeating elements (default: 2)

Validation

After generating sample XML, you can validate it:

  1. Click Validate XML
  2. See validation results in the panel
  3. Click on errors to see details
  4. Export errors to file if needed

8. XSD Flattener

Combine multiple XSD files into a single file. Useful when your schema imports other schemas.

XSD Flattener Flattener tool with before/after view

How to Use

  1. Select your main XSD file
  2. Choose where to save the new file
  3. Click Flatten
  4. The tool merges all <xs:include> schemas into one file

When to Use

  • Distributing schemas to partners
  • Tools that don't support includes
  • Simplifying complex schema sets
  • Creating self-contained schemas

Supported XSD Features

Category Features
Elements Elements, Attributes, Groups
Types ComplexTypes, SimpleTypes
Compositors Sequence, Choice, All
Constraints Patterns, Enumerations, Length limits
References Import, Include, Redefine
XSD 1.1 Assertions, Alternatives, Open Content
Identity Key, KeyRef, Unique

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Ctrl+S Save file
Ctrl+Z Undo
Ctrl+Y Redo
Ctrl+F Find/Replace
Ctrl+Q Toggle XPath panel
Ctrl+D Add to favorites
Delete Delete selected element
F2 Rename element
F5 Validate schema
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