What is XML formatting?

XML formatting (or beautifying) adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to make XML data human-readable. It converts minified XML into a structured format that's easier to read and understand.

How do I fix XML syntax errors?

The tool will show you the exact line and position of syntax errors. Common issues include unclosed tags, mismatched opening/closing tags, invalid characters in tag names, missing quotes around attributes, and improper nesting. Fix the error at the indicated location and the XML will validate.

What's the difference between beautify and minify?

Beautify adds indentation and line breaks to make XML readable for humans. Minify removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size, making it more efficient for data transmission but harder to read.

Can I format large XML files?

Yes! The tool can handle XML files of any size. However, very large files (several MB) may take a moment to process depending on your browser and device performance.

Is my XML data safe and private?

Absolutely! All XML processing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server, stored, or logged. Your XML data remains completely private.

Why is my XML invalid?

Common reasons include: unclosed tags, mismatched opening/closing tags (case-sensitive), missing quotes around attribute values, invalid characters in tag/attribute names, improper nesting, or missing XML declaration. Check the error message for the specific issue.

Can I use this for SOAP messages?

Yes! This tool is perfect for formatting and validating SOAP XML messages. It helps you debug SOAP requests and responses, validate message structure, and create readable documentation.

What indentation should I use?

Use 2 spaces for web services and compact formats. Use 4 spaces for configuration files and when readability is priority. Both are valid - choose based on your project's style guide.

Can I format SVG files?

Yes! SVG files are XML-based, so this tool works perfectly for formatting, validating, and minifying SVG code. It's great for cleaning up SVG exports and optimizing icon files.

How do I minify XML for production?

Select the "Minify" option to remove all whitespace and line breaks. This reduces file size significantly, improving load times and reducing bandwidth usage in production environments.

Does it support XML namespaces?

Yes! The tool fully supports XML namespaces, including namespace prefixes and xmlns declarations. It will properly format and validate XML documents with namespaces.

Can I validate against an XML schema?

This tool validates XML syntax (well-formedness), not schema validation (XSD). However, you can use it to ensure your XML is syntactically correct before performing schema validation with other tools.

Free Online XML Formatter & Validator

Free online XML formatter, validator, and beautifier. Format, minify, and validate XML instantly with syntax highlighting. No signup - 100% free, private, works offline.

Input XML

Formatted XML

Paste XML data to format, validate, or minify it

Free Online XML Formatter & Validator Tool Introduction

Need to format or validate XML online for free? Our professional XML formatting tool instantly formats, validates, minifies, and beautifies XML data - completely free with no signup required. Essential for developers working with web services, configuration files, and data interchange formats.

Perfect for SOAP API development, debugging XML responses, validating configuration files, analyzing data structures, and cleaning up messy XML. The tool provides real-time syntax validation, error detection with line numbers, and multiple formatting options including beautify and minify.

Our formatter handles large XML files efficiently, provides clear error messages for invalid XML, and offers one-click copy functionality. Whether you're working with SOAP responses, SVG files, configuration files, or data exports, this tool streamlines your XML workflow.

All processing happens locally in your browser with no data transmission. Your XML data remains completely private and secure. Works offline once loaded!

Free Online XML Formatter & Validator User Guide

Getting Started

Using the XML Formatter is simple and efficient:

Basic Usage

Paste XML: Copy and paste your XML data into the input area
Auto Format: The tool automatically validates and formats your XML
View Results: See beautifully formatted XML with proper indentation
Copy Output: Click copy button to use the formatted XML

Key Features

Format & Beautify: Convert minified XML to readable format with proper indentation
Validate Syntax: Real-time validation with clear error messages and line numbers
Minify XML: Remove whitespace to reduce file size for production
Syntax Highlighting: Color-coded display for better readability
Error Detection: Precise error location with helpful messages
Indentation Options: Choose 2 or 4 spaces for formatting
One-Click Copy: Copy formatted or minified XML instantly
Large File Support: Handle XML files of any size

Common Use Cases

SOAP API Development

Response Formatting: Format SOAP responses for better readability
Request Validation: Validate XML payloads before sending
Schema Design: Design and validate XML schemas
Documentation: Create readable examples for API docs

Configuration Files

Validate Config: Ensure configuration files are valid XML
Format Settings: Make config files more readable
Minify Production: Reduce config file size for deployment
Template Creation: Create formatted config templates

Data Processing

Export Formatting: Format data exports from databases
Import Validation: Validate XML before importing
Data Transformation: Prepare XML for data pipelines
Log Analysis: Format XML logs for analysis

SVG & Graphics

SVG Optimization: Format and minify SVG files
Icon Processing: Clean up SVG icon code
Graphics Debugging: Debug SVG rendering issues
Code Review: Make SVG code more readable

Best Practices

Use 2-space indentation for web services (more compact)
Use 4-space indentation for configuration files (more readable)
Minify XML for production to reduce bandwidth
Always validate XML before deployment
Keep formatted XML in development for debugging
Use consistent formatting across your project

Tips & Tricks

Paste minified XML to instantly beautify it
Use the error messages to quickly locate syntax issues
Format XML before committing to version control
Minify XML responses to improve API performance
Validate XML schemas before using them
Copy formatted XML for documentation and examples

Frequently Asked Questions

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