XML Formatter
Beautify or minify XML documents instantly. Format messy XML into readable output.
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Learn more about the XML Formatter
What is XML Formatting?
XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a text-based format used to structure and exchange data between systems — from SOAP APIs and RSS feeds to configuration files and legacy enterprise integrations. Because XML is often generated by machines or transmitted over a network, it's commonly stripped of extra whitespace and packed onto a single line, which makes it fast to transfer but very difficult for a person to read.
An XML formatter (also called an XML beautifier) solves this by adding consistent indentation and line breaks around every element, without touching the underlying content. Formatting only affects whitespace — element names, attributes, text content, and document structure remain exactly the same before and after. This is what people mean by "pretty print XML": taking valid but visually flat markup and laying it out so the nesting of parent and child elements is easy to follow.
The opposite operation, minifying, strips out all non-essential whitespace to shrink file size — useful when XML is being sent over a network, where readability doesn't matter but every byte does. A good XML formatter tool lets you move freely between both: beautify XML to read and debug it, then minify it again before shipping.
This page lets you format XML online for free, directly in your browser. Paste any XML — from an API response, a config file, or an RSS feed — or drag and drop a .xml file, and it's instantly beautified with syntax highlighting, or minified and validated, all without installing anything or sending your data anywhere.
Why Format XML?
Readability
Deeply nested elements are hard to scan when XML is minified onto a single line. Proper indentation makes the document tree and element relationships obvious at a glance.
Debugging
A formatted view makes it easy to spot a missing closing tag, mismatched element, or misplaced attribute without hunting through a wall of unbroken markup.
API Integration
SOAP and REST services still exchange XML payloads. Formatted XML makes it far faster to inspect requests and responses while building or testing an integration.
Configuration Files
Many build tools and frameworks use XML for configuration — pom.xml, web.xml, Android manifests. Formatting keeps hand-edited config files reviewable in pull requests.
Example
Here's the same XML document before and after formatting with 2-space indentation.
<?xml version="1.0"?><bookstore><book category="fiction"><title>The Great Gatsby</title><author>F. Scott Fitzgerald</author><year>1925</year><price>12.99</price></book></bookstore><?xml version="1.0"?>
<bookstore>
<book category="fiction">
<title>The Great Gatsby</title>
<author>F. Scott Fitzgerald</author>
<year>1925</year>
<price>12.99</price>
</book>
</bookstore>Features
Format
Beautify minified or messy XML into clean, indented output with 2 or 4-space indentation.
Minify
Strip all whitespace to produce the smallest possible XML payload for production use.
Upload a File
Drag and drop or upload a .xml file to format it directly, no copy-pasting required.
Copy
Copy the formatted or minified output to your clipboard with a single click.
Download
Save the result as a standalone .xml file for use in your project or documentation.
How to use
Paste your input in the left editor. The output appears automatically on the right. Use the toolbar buttons to copy, download, or transform the result.
- Paste or type your content in the input editor on the left.
- The formatted output is generated automatically.
- Use Copy, Download, or other actions from the output toolbar.
- Click the expand icon to view the output in fullscreen.
FAQ
Is this XML formatter free?
Yes, the XML formatter is completely free to use with no limits, signup, or account required.
Is my XML uploaded to a server?
No. All formatting happens locally in your browser using JavaScript, whether you paste XML or upload a file. Your XML is never uploaded or sent to a server.
Can I format an XML file instead of pasting XML?
Yes. Drag and drop a .xml file onto the input panel, or click the upload icon in the panel header to browse for one. Files up to 5MB are supported.
Can I format large XML files?
Yes, the formatter handles large XML documents smoothly since everything runs client-side in the Monaco editor, the same editor used in VS Code.
What is the difference between formatting and minifying XML?
Formatting (beautifying) adds indentation and line breaks so XML is easy to read. Minifying strips all unnecessary whitespace to produce the smallest possible file size.
Does this tool validate XML syntax too?
Yes. If your XML has a syntax error, the tool shows an "Invalid XML" status so you can locate and fix it quickly.
What indentation options are available?
You can choose between 2-space and 4-space indentation for the formatted output.
Does formatting change my XML data or attribute order?
No. Formatting only changes whitespace and line breaks for readability — it never alters element content, attributes, or their order.
Can I download the formatted XML?
Yes, use the Download button to save the formatted XML as a standalone .xml file.