# XML schema editor

This product provides an XML schema editor for creating, viewing, and validating XML schemas. XML schemas are a formal specification of element names that indicates which elements are allowed in an XML file, and in which combinations.

A schema is functionally equivalent to a DTD, but is written in XML. A schema also provides extended functionality such as data typing, inheritance, and presentation rules.

For more information on XML schema, see the following:

- http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-0/
- http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-1/
- http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/

Using the XML schema editor, you can:

- Create and delete XML schema components such as complex types, simple types, elements, attributes, attribute groups, and groups.
- Edit XML schemas.
- Import existing XML schemas for structured viewing.

The XML Schema specification from the W3C Web site is used for validation.

#### XML schema editor views - Design, Outline, Properties, and Source

There are four main views you can work with in the XML schema editor:

- Design - the Design view provides a graphical way to edit your schema
- Outline - the Outline view shows you the main components in your XML schema. You can use this view to add and remove certain components.
- Properties - the Properties view enables you to edit the properties of your XML schema components
- Source - the Source view enables you to edit your source code directly

#### Status of the XML schema

Three status indicators for the schema are available. They are in the bottom right corner:

- Writable or Read Only.
- (Source view only) Smart Insert or Overwrite. To toggle between these modes, press the Insert button on your keyboard.
- Line and column number (displayed in the format `column # : line #`)

Related tasks
Creating XML schemas
Editing XML schema properties
Validating XML schemas