XML Formatter & Beautifier
Format, beautify, validate, and explore XML with syntax highlighting, tree view, and XPath queries. Everything runs in your browser — your data stays private.
About XML Formatting
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a widely used format for data exchange, configuration, and document markup. It powers technologies like SOAP web services, Maven build files (pom.xml), Android layouts, RSS feeds, SVG graphics, and countless enterprise systems. Properly formatted XML reveals the document hierarchy, making it easier to read, debug, and maintain.
This tool validates your XML for well-formedness, formats it with configurable indentation, provides syntax highlighting with color-coded elements, attributes, and values, and lets you explore the document structure through an interactive tree view. The XPath evaluator helps you query specific nodes without writing code.
Features
- Format and beautify XML with 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tab indentation
- Minify XML by removing whitespace between elements
- Validate XML well-formedness with error location reporting
- Syntax highlighting with color-coded tags, attributes, values, and comments
- Interactive tree view with collapsible/expandable nodes
- XPath expression evaluator to query specific nodes
- File upload via drag-and-drop or file picker
- Document statistics: element count, attribute count, depth, and size
- Copy or download the formatted output
- 100% client-side — your XML never leaves your browser
When to Format vs. Minify XML
Format (beautify) XML when you need to read, edit, debug, or review it. If you receive minified XML from an API, a build tool, or a compressed file, the formatter restructures it with proper indentation so you can understand the hierarchy at a glance.
Minify XML before transmitting it over a network or storing it in a space-constrained environment. Removing whitespace between elements can reduce file size by 20-50% depending on the original indentation, without changing the document's meaning.