ToolSink

XML Formatter

Pretty-print, validate and minify XML documents entirely in your browser.

What is the XML Formatter?

The XML Formatter pretty-prints, validates and minifies XML documents right in your browser. Paste a wall of one-line XML and it returns cleanly-indented markup you can read; paste something with a broken tag and it points out the error.

XML still powers configuration files, RSS feeds, SOAP APIs, SVG assets and many enterprise systems. Reading raw XML from a build step or an API log is painful without formatting — this tool fixes that in one click.

Because the DOM parser used for validation is built into every browser, formatting runs entirely on-device. No XML leaves your machine, which matters when it contains proprietary configuration or PII.

How to use the XML Formatter

  1. 1Paste your XML into the input area.
  2. 2Pick an indent size (2 or 4 spaces).
  3. 3Click "Format" for pretty-printing or "Minify" to strip whitespace.
  4. 4Click "Validate" for a quick well-formedness check without altering the input.
  5. 5Copy the formatted or minified output to your clipboard.

Key features

  • Well-formedness validation with a clear error message
  • Configurable indent (2 or 4 spaces)
  • Minify option to shrink payload size
  • Handles CDATA sections and comments
  • Works on any XML dialect — SVG, SOAP, RSS, config files
  • Runs offline

Examples

Format compact XML

Input
<root><a>1</a><b><c>2</c></b></root>
Output
<root>
  <a>1</a>
  <b>
    <c>2</c>
  </b>
</root>

Why use this tool

  • Turns unreadable XML into scannable markup
  • Detects syntax errors instantly
  • Cuts payload size when minified
  • Preserves comments and CDATA
  • Free and private

Common use cases

  • Debugging SOAP responses
  • Prettifying SVG for editing
  • Reviewing RSS feeds before publishing
  • Formatting XML config files before commit
  • Minifying XML for storage

Frequently asked questions

Does the tool validate against a schema?

It checks well-formedness (correctly nested tags). Full XSD validation is on the roadmap.

Can I format very large XML?

Yes — files up to several megabytes work smoothly on desktop.

Are namespaces preserved?

Yes — xmlns declarations and prefixed tags are untouched.

Does it strip comments?

No — comments and CDATA are preserved in both format and minify modes.

Is my XML uploaded?

No — everything runs in your browser.