XML Formatter

The XML Formatter is a developer tool that takes raw, minified, or poorly structured XML and transforms it into clean, human-readable output with consistent indentation and proper node hierarchy. Whether you are dealing with API responses, configuration files, or data feeds, unformatted XML can be nearly impossible to read or debug. This tool handles that instantly, giving you a well-organized document in seconds.

Beyond simple aesthetics, proper XML formatting is essential for spotting errors, understanding nested structures, and collaborating with other developers. When XML is collapsed into a single line or irregularly indented, validating its structure becomes tedious. The formatter eliminates that friction by making every tag, attribute, and value immediately visible and logically laid out.

Using the formatter is straightforward. Paste your raw or minified XML into the input area and trigger the format action. The tool parses the document, identifies every element and its nesting depth, and outputs the same XML with consistent indentation — typically two or four spaces per level — and each node on its own line. Attributes remain on their parent opening tag, and text content is preserved exactly as-is.

The output is valid, well-formed XML that is structurally identical to what you provided — just easier to read. The formatter handles common real-world inputs including XML with namespaces, CDATA sections, processing instructions, and XML declarations at the top of the document.

One edge case to be aware of: if your XML is malformed — for example, missing closing tags or mismatched element names — the formatter may produce unexpected output or report a parse error. It is a good idea to run your XML through a validator if formatting fails, since the root cause is almost always a structural issue in the source document.