XML Formatter & Beautifier
Pretty-print XML with proper indentation so nested elements are easy to read.
About this tool
Pretty-print XML with proper indentation so nested elements are easy to read.
Example
Input: <a><b>x</b></a>
Output: <a>
<b>x</b>
</a>
Privacy
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your data is processed locally and never uploaded to a server.
How to use this tool
- Paste your XML into the input box.
- Click the format button to pretty-print it.
- Review the indented output and copy it when it looks right.
- Replace the formatted output in your file if you need readable XML for editing or review.
Step by step, what happens
- The tool reads the raw XML text you paste in, including any cramped spacing or line breaks.
- It parses the nested elements so it can tell which tags belong inside other tags.
- It rewrites the XML with consistent indentation and line breaks to make the structure clear.
- You then use the formatted result to inspect parent-child relationships, compare sections, or share cleaner XML with your team.
Worked example
Here is a small XML snippet that starts on one line and is hard to read before formatting.
Input: <note><to>Ana</to><from>Sam</from><body>Hello</body></note>
- Paste the single-line XML into the formatter.
- The tool detects the nested note, to, from, and body elements.
- It adds line breaks and indentation so each tag is easy to read.
- Copy the formatted XML into your editor or documentation.
Output: <note>
<to>Ana</to>
<from>Sam</from>
<body>Hello</body>
</note>
Tips and common mistakes
- Start with well formed XML, because missing closing tags or broken nesting can stop the formatter from working correctly.
- If your XML includes attributes, keep them in the input exactly as they are so the tool can preserve them while reformatting.
- Formatted XML is easier to read, but it does not change the meaning of the document, so use it for cleanup rather than editing content.
- If a long file is hard to inspect, format it first and then search for the parent element you care about.
Frequently asked questions
What does it do?
It re-indents XML elements so the hierarchy is visible.
Does it validate XML?
It formats structure; use the XML Validator for strict well-formedness checks.
Is data uploaded?
No, formatting is local.
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