XML Formatter
Format and indent raw XML files and feeds. Automatically indents nested tags, aligns closing elements, and checks syntax validity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Paste XML Code or Upload File
Paste minified, unformatted XML, SOAP responses, or sitemaps into the editor.
Select Indentation Options
Choose 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tab indentation, and configure tag attribute wrapping.
Validate XML Structure
Review instant syntax validation highlighting unclosed tags, mismatched casing, or entity errors.
Copy or Download Formatted XML
Copy pretty-printed clean XML code or download as a .xml file.
Key Features & Capabilities
- W3C XML 1.0 / 1.1 compliant syntax validator and pretty-printer
- Intelligent indentation hierarchy with collapsible element tree nodes
- Safe handling and preservation of CDATA sections (`<![CDATA[...]]>`) and XML namespaces (`xmlns:`)
- Lossless XML minifier stripping whitespace and comments for lightweight API payloads
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the most common XML syntax errors?
XML is strictly enforced: 1) **Unclosed tags** (`<item>` without `</item>`); 2) **Case-sensitive mismatch** (`<User>` closed with `</user>`); 3) **Improper nesting** (`<b><i></b></i>`); 4) **Unescaped reserved characters** (`&` must be `&`, `<` must be `<`); 5) **Multiple root elements** (XML requires exactly one root element).
How does the formatter handle CDATA blocks in XML?
CDATA blocks (`<![CDATA[...]]>`) contain text that must not be parsed by XML parsers. Our formatter preserves CDATA blocks verbatim, maintaining internal formatting without modifying embedded scripts or characters.
What is the difference between Well-Formed XML and Valid XML?
**Well-Formed XML** satisfies basic XML syntax rules (closed tags, single root, quoted attributes). **Valid XML** is both well-formed AND adheres to a specific formal schema definition (DTD or XSD schema) that dictates allowed element names, hierarchies, and data types.
Is this XML Formatter secure for confidential enterprise SOAP payloads?
Yes. All XML parsing and formatting executes locally in your browser using client-side DOMParser. No enterprise XML feeds, database dumps, or SOAP credentials are transmitted to an external server.
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