XML Formatter parses XML text and reindents its element structure; malformed XML is reported instead of being silently repaired. Essential for developers cleaning minified XML, reviewing SOAP payloads, and preparing XML for readable diffs in version control.
XML tools
XML Input
Drag & drop supported
Formatted XML
Paste XML on the left to format.
XML Formatter parses XML text and reindents its element structure; malformed XML is reported instead of being silently repaired.
Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Transform your raw or minified XML into clean, properly indented, and human-readable markup.
Step 1
Navigate to the XML Formatter from the tool registry. The interface presents an input area for your XML content along with formatting options for indentation and spacing.
Step 2
Copy your raw, minified, or unformatted XML and paste it into the input area. The tool parses the XML structure and prepares it for formatting with proper indentation.
Step 3
Choose your preferred indentation style from the available options. Select between 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs based on your project standards and team preferences.
Step 4
Press the Format button to execute the formatting. The tool applies consistent indentation to all elements, aligns opening and closing tags, and structures attributes for optimal readability.
Step 5
Examine the formatted XML in the output area. Verify that the indentation is consistent, tags are properly aligned, and all content is preserved before copying or downloading.
Step 6
Use the copy button to place the formatted XML on your clipboard for pasting into an editor or version control, or click the download button to save as a .xml file.
Consequence: Inconsistent namespace declarations cause formatting errors or lost prefixes.
Fix: Ensure all namespace declarations are at the root element before formatting.
Consequence: DOM-based formatting loads the entire document into memory, causing browser slowdowns.
Fix: Split large XML files into smaller chunks before formatting.
Consequence: HTML void elements like <br> and <img> are not valid in XML, causing parse errors when the formatter processes the document.
Fix: Use self-closing tags (<br/>) instead of HTML void elements when working with XHTML or XML documents.
Reformat XML with consistent indentation so review diffs expose element changes rather than whitespace differences.
Produce an aligned copy of an XML snippet for embedding in README files, wikis, or API reference material.
Convert files that mix tabs and spaces, or inconsistent nesting widths, to a single project-wide indentation before committing.
This example verifies XML Formatter's primary behavior without uploading data.
XML Formatter takes your raw or minified XML content and applies proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to produce a clean, human-readable output. It automatically aligns opening and closing tags, structures attributes consistently, and makes complex XML documents easy to navigate and understand.
No. The entire formatting process runs locally within your browser. Your XML data is never transmitted to any external server, ensuring complete privacy and security of your information throughout the formatting operation.
Paste your raw or minified XML into the input area and click Format. The tool parses the XML structure, applies consistent indentation using spaces or tabs, and displays the formatted output ready for copying or downloading.
Beyond indentation, you can collapse self-closing elements, sort attributes alphabetically, wrap long lines, preserve or strip comments, and choose between tabs and spaces for indentation.
Yes. The formatter correctly handles self-closing XML tags such as <br/>, <img/>, or custom empty elements. It preserves the self-closing syntax while applying proper indentation and alignment to these elements.
Yes. The formatter properly handles XML elements with attributes, maintaining consistent formatting for attribute placement and alignment. Attributes are formatted according to standard XML conventions for readability.
Yes. After formatting, you can copy the entire formatted XML to your clipboard using the copy button. You can also download the result as a .xml file for immediate use in your projects or documentation.
Yes. All XML content, text nodes, CDATA sections, comments, and processing instructions are preserved exactly as they appear in the original input. Only whitespace and indentation are modified for readability.
Yes. The formatter correctly preserves XML declarations such as <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> at the beginning of the document, maintaining proper placement and formatting of the declaration line.
You can adjust indentation level (2 or 4 spaces), choose between tabs and spaces, collapse self-closing elements, sort attributes alphabetically, wrap long lines at a specified column width, and preserve or strip XML comments. The formatter also validates well-formedness before formatting.
XML Formatter restructures the pasted document entirely inside this browser tab; the XML source and the formatted output never leave the device and are not uploaded, stored, or transmitted. Clipboard and file downloads run only on explicit user action, and the page remains functional offline after the initial load.
