XSDdoc processes any valid XML schema definition (with or without target name) and incorporates external XML Schema definitions (i.e., included or imported XSD) into the documentation. It also handles circular schema references and chameleon namespaces.

Local elements are listed separately from their parent schema components and are easily accessible from the index. Each local element declaration has its own page with the comprehensive documentation.

XSDdoc generates an XML instance, which is an XML document describing the schema component’s usage. The XML instance shows users what attributes are available for each element and how elements are grouped and nested within each other. End users can use the XML instance as a template when composing the XML document. Schema designers can use this information to refine the content model of their schema component.

XSDdoc lists an element’s attributes along with type descriptions and data value restrictions in a compact, tabular format. For added convenience, XSDdoc also lists the child elements’ attributes on the same page.

XSDdoc displays user annotations for schema components, local elements, enumerations and restrictions. Users can switch between a fully annotated view and a streamlined undocumented view with a simple mouse click.

For simple and complex types, XSDdoc displays a type hierarchy diagram with labels specifying derivation methods (i.e., extension or restriction). XSDdoc will analyze the entire set of schema definitions and produce a list of subtypes. XSDdoc also produces a global type hierarchy that contains all type components. This makes it easy for users to understand the type system of the entire XML vocabulary.

XSDdoc generates a short description for each attribute data value and element content model. The description will state all restrictions that apply to the data. For elements, XSDdoc also generates a substitution group head and a list of substitution group members.

XSDdoc provides a cross-reference table displaying a schema component's use and used-by relations with other components (including attributes and local elements). Schema designers can use this information to analyze how a design change can affect the entire schema definition.

XSDdoc has several features that make searching and browsing a large collection of XML vocabulary a snap. XSDdoc sorts and indexes schema components according to category (i.e., attribute, attribute group, simple type, complex type, element declaration, model group and notation).

In addition, the ability to group or filter schema components by namespace allows users to focus on particular subsets of schema definitions that are relevant. Every schema component has its own HTML page, thus providing quick and easy access to specific schema components without the hassle of downloading the entire documentation.

In addition to the schema component index, XSDdoc has a schema file browser linking each file to a schema summary. This summary provides a quick overview of the schema, along with helpful component metrics like schema component count.