XML Formatter
Format, beautify, and validate XML documents instantly. Customize indentation, minify XML, and view document statistics. Perfect for developers working with APIs, configuration files, and data exchange.
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How to Use
Paste your XML
Copy and paste your XML document into the input area, or upload an .xml file. The tool accepts any well-formed XML content including configuration files, SOAP messages, RSS feeds, and SVG images.
Choose an action
Click "Format" to beautify your XML with proper indentation and line breaks, or "Minify" to compress it by removing all unnecessary whitespace for smaller file sizes.
Customize formatting options
When formatting, choose your preferred indentation style: 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs. These settings help match your project's coding conventions.
View validation and statistics
The tool automatically validates your XML and shows whether it's well-formed. You'll also see helpful statistics: root element name, total element count, attribute count, and maximum nesting depth.
Copy or download
Click "Copy" to copy the formatted or minified XML to your clipboard, or download it as an .xml file ready to use in your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Format and Minify?
Format adds proper indentation and line breaks to make XML human-readable. This is great for debugging, code review, and understanding document structure. Minify removes all unnecessary whitespace to create the smallest possible file size. Use minify for production deployments, network transmission, or when file size matters. The tool shows character counts so you can see exactly how much space you save.
What does "well-formed XML" mean?
Well-formed XML follows the basic syntax rules of the XML specification: it has exactly one root element, all elements are properly nested and closed, attribute values are quoted, element and attribute names follow naming rules, and special characters like < and & are properly escaped. The formatter validates these rules automatically and shows clear error messages if your XML has syntax problems.
Can I format SOAP messages, RSS feeds, and SVG files?
Yes! The formatter works with any valid XML including SOAP envelopes, RSS/Atom feeds, SVG images, configuration files (like pom.xml, web.config, or .plist), WSDL files, XML schemas (XSD), XSLT stylesheets, and custom XML formats. Try the example buttons to see how different XML types are formatted.
What do the statistics tell me about my XML?
The statistics help you understand your document structure at a glance. Root Element shows the name of your document's main element. Element Count is the total number of XML tags. Attribute Count is the total number of attributes across all elements. Max Depth shows how deeply nested your elements are—high depth might indicate complexity that could be simplified.