A simple type is a data type definition defined by derivation of an existing simple type (built-in data type or derived simple type). It can be used by elements or attributes with text-only content; it cannot contain elements or attributes. You can only create simple types in a model targeting XSD.
There are three kinds of derivation for a simple type:
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List - contains a white space-separated list of values of an inherited simple type (see Deriving by List).
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Restriction - has a range of values restricted to a subset of those of an inherited simple type (see Deriving by Restriction).
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Union - contains a union of values of two or more inherited simple types Deriving by Union).
Once defined in a model, a simple type can be reused in the definition of an attribute, an element or a complex type.
Example of a simple type in a schema:
