Elements (XSM)

Elements are the basic building blocks of an XML model, which organizes them into a tree structure. Elements can contain other elements (via group particles) and attributes, and can reference groups, attribute groups and simple and complex types.

Elements can be either global or local:

Global elements - have no parent element, and are directly linked to the <schema> root element. They can be reused in the model through referencing elements.
Local elements - have a parent element in a diagram, and are unique within their parent scope. They reference (and, thus, be defined by) a global element by selecting the global element in the Reference property on the General tab of their property sheet.

Note: In a model targeted with the XML-Data Reduced language, local elements are first declared separately, like global elements (with the <ElementType> tag and a name attribute), then within their parent element (with the <element> tag and a type attribute). For example:

Parent elements are linked to their child elements through group particles (sequence, choice or all), which contain a group of child elements (see the Group type property in Element Properties).

You can derive an XSD element data type to extend or restrict its values (see the Derivation property in Element Properties).

Creating an Element
You can create an element from the Toolbox, Browser, or Model menu. Elements can be created as root elements anywhere in the diagram and, via group particles, as children of elements, complex types, and groups.
Element Properties
To view or edit an element's properties, double-click its diagram symbol or Browser or list entry. The property sheet tabs and fields listed here are those available by default, before any customization of the interface by you or an administrator.

Parent topic: XML Diagrams