XML Formatter & Validator

Format, validate, and beautify XML documents with our powerful online tool. Perfect for web development, data processing, and configuration management.

XML Formatter & Validator

Format Mode

Indent Size

Input XML

Valid

Characters: 378 | Lines: 5

Formatted XML

Formatted XML will appear here...

Quick Examples

Professional XML formatting and validation tool!

Perfect for web services, configuration files, and data processing workflows

What is XML?

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. XML is designed to store and transport data.

XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language
XML is a markup language much like HTML
XML was designed to store and transport data
XML was designed to be self-descriptive
XML is a W3C Recommendation

XML Formatting Benefits

Formatted XML Benefits

Improved readability for humans
Easier debugging and troubleshooting
Better structure visualization
Simplified code reviews
Enhanced documentation clarity
Better version control diffs

Minified XML Benefits

Reduced file size and bandwidth usage
Faster data transmission over networks
Improved application performance
Lower storage requirements
Optimized for production environments
Reduced parsing time

XML Syntax Rules

All XML Elements Must Have a Closing Tag

In HTML, some elements do not have to have a closing tag. In XML, all elements must have a closing tag.

❌ Invalid:

<message>Hello World

✅ Valid:

<message>Hello World</message>

XML Tags are Case Sensitive

XML tags are case sensitive. The tag <Letter> is different from the tag <letter>.

❌ Invalid:

<Message>Hello</message>

✅ Valid:

<message>Hello</message>

XML Elements Must be Properly Nested

XML elements must be properly nested within each other.

❌ Invalid:

Bold italic

✅ Valid:

Bold italic

XML Attribute Values Must be Quoted

XML attribute values must always be quoted.

❌ Invalid:

<person id=123>John</person>

✅ Valid:

<person id="123">John</person>

XML Document Structure

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- XML Declaration -->

<!-- Root element (required) -->
<bookstore>
  <!-- Child elements -->
  <book id="1" category="fiction">
    <title lang="en">Great Gatsby</title>
    <author>F. Scott Fitzgerald</author>
    <year>1925</year>
    <price currency="USD">10.99</price>
  </book>
  
  <book id="2" category="fiction">
    <title lang="en">1984</title>
    <author>George Orwell</author>
    <year>1949</year>
    <price currency="USD">8.99</price>
  </book>
</bookstore>

Common XML Use Cases

🌐

Web Services

SOAP web services, REST APIs, and data exchange between systems

⚙️

Configuration Files

Application settings, build configurations, and deployment descriptors

📊

Data Storage

Structured data storage, database exports, and data interchange

📝

Document Markup

XHTML, DocBook, and structured document formats

🔄

Message Queues

Message formats for enterprise service buses and messaging systems

📋

Reports & Feeds

RSS feeds, sitemaps, and structured report generation

XML Namespaces

XML namespaces provide a method to avoid element name conflicts when combining XML documents from different sources.

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root xmlns:h="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"
      xmlns:f="http://www.w3schools.com/furniture">

  <h:table>
    <h:tr>
      <h:td>Apples</h:td>
      <h:td>Bananas</h:td>
    </h:tr>
  </h:table>

  <f:table>
    <f:name>African Coffee Table</f:name>
    <f:width>80</f:width>
    <f:length>120</f:length>
  </f:table>

</root>