All tools XML Formatter ● Live Developer Tools How this tool works

XML Formatter

XML Formatter makes XML easier to read by applying indentation and basic validation feedback. It is useful for feeds, integrations, config files, and legacy APIs.

XML Formatter Runs locally

XML Input

Output

Step by step

How to use it

  1. Paste your XML document or snippet into the input box.

  2. The tool validates the XML and reports any parsing errors.

  3. View the formatted, indented XML output.

  4. Copy the formatted XML for use in your project or documentation.

When to use it

Use cases

  • Format a minified XML API response for readability during debugging.

  • Clean up an XML config file before committing it to version control.

  • Check that an XML feed (RSS, sitemap) is well-formed.

  • Prepare a readable XML example for documentation.

  • Verify the nesting structure of a complex XML document.

Limits & privacy

What this tool does and does not do

Private by design

XML formatting happens entirely in your browser. Your document is never uploaded.

  • Formatting changes only whitespace — it does not validate against an XSD schema.

  • Very large XML documents may take longer to format and render.

  • Comments and CDATA sections are preserved but may affect formatting around them.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is XML Formatter free to use?

Yes. The tool is free and runs directly in your browser with no account required.

Does this tool upload my data?

No. Your XML is formatted locally in the browser tab and is not sent to a server.

What does formatting an XML document do?

It adds consistent indentation and line breaks based on the element nesting structure, turning a single-line or inconsistently formatted XML document into a readable, hierarchical layout.

Will it tell me if my XML is invalid?

Yes — if the XML can't be parsed (e.g. unclosed tags or invalid syntax), the tool reports an error so you can locate and fix the issue.

Does formatting change the data in my XML?

No — formatting only adjusts whitespace and indentation. Element names, attributes, and text content remain unchanged.

Can I format minified XML from an API response?

Yes — pasting a single-line XML response will produce a properly indented, readable version showing the document's structure.

Does it support XML namespaces and attributes?

Yes — namespace prefixes and element attributes are preserved in the formatted output.