XML Formatter
Beautify and format your XML with proper indentation for better readability. Transform messy XML into clean, organized code.
Unformatted XML
Runs in your browser
Formatted XML
How to Format XML
Paste or upload XML
Enter your unformatted XML in the input area or upload an XML file from your computer.
Click Format
Press the Format button to beautify your XML with proper indentation and line breaks.
Review the output
See your XML transformed into a clean, hierarchical structure with consistent indentation.
Copy or download
Copy the formatted XML to your clipboard or download it as a file for use in your projects.
XML Formatting Example
See how our formatter transforms unreadable XML into clean, structured code:
Before: Unformatted XML
<?xml version="1.0"?><catalog><book id="bk101"><author>Gambardella, Matthew</author><title>XML Developer's Guide</title><genre>Computer</genre><price>44.95</price><publish_date>2000-10-01</publish_date><description>An in-depth look at creating applications with XML.</description></book><book id="bk102"><author>Ralls, Kim</author><title>Midnight Rain</title><genre>Fantasy</genre><price>5.95</price><publish_date>2000-12-16</publish_date></book></catalog>After: Formatted XML
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<catalog>
<book id="bk101">
<author>Gambardella, Matthew</author>
<title>XML Developer's Guide</title>
<genre>Computer</genre>
<price>44.95</price>
<publish_date>2000-10-01</publish_date>
<description>An in-depth look at creating applications with XML.</description>
</book>
<book id="bk102">
<author>Ralls, Kim</author>
<title>Midnight Rain</title>
<genre>Fantasy</genre>
<price>5.95</price>
<publish_date>2000-12-16</publish_date>
</book>
</catalog>Benefits of Formatting XML
Improved Readability
Properly indented XML reveals the document hierarchy at a glance. Nested elements are visually grouped, making it easy to understand parent-child relationships.
Easier Debugging
Finding errors in formatted XML is significantly faster. Missing closing tags, incorrect nesting, and structural issues become obvious when each element is on its own line.
Better Version Control
Formatted XML produces cleaner diffs in Git and other version control systems. Changes are isolated to specific lines rather than affecting entire blocks of code.
Team Collaboration
Consistent formatting ensures all team members work with identically structured files. Code reviews become more efficient when XML follows a standard style.
Documentation
Formatted XML is suitable for inclusion in documentation, tutorials, and technical specifications. Readers can easily understand the structure without additional explanation.
Manual Editing
When you need to manually edit XML, proper formatting reduces the risk of introducing errors. You can clearly see where to add, modify, or remove elements.
When to Format vs Minify XML
Use Formatting When:
- ✓Developing and debugging XML documents
- ✓Reviewing XML in code reviews
- ✓Storing XML in version control
- ✓Including XML in documentation
- ✓Manually editing configuration files
- ✓Learning and understanding XML structure
Use Minification When:
- ✓Transmitting XML over networks
- ✓Storing XML in databases
- ✓Embedding XML in API responses
- ✓Reducing bandwidth usage
- ✓Production deployment of XML files
- ✓Optimizing performance → Use XML Minifier