📄 What is XML Formatter?
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a markup language for structuring, storing, and transmitting data. XML Formatter indents compressed XML according to hierarchy for readability, or removes whitespace to reduce file size. It is used for API response analysis, config file editing (pom.xml, web.xml), SOAP message debugging, and RSS/Atom feed verification across various development workflows.
🔧 Key Features
Format (Prettify)
Visualize hierarchy with 1-8 space indentation
Minify
Remove whitespace and line breaks to minimize size
Validation
Auto-check if XML is well-formed
Copy Function
Copy result to clipboard instantly
📋 XML vs JSON Comparison
| Aspect | XML | JSON |
|---|---|---|
| Readability | Clear with tags | Concise |
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Attributes | Supported | Not supported |
| Comments | Supported | Not supported |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between well-formed and valid XML?▼
Well-formed XML follows syntax rules (matching tags, case sensitivity, etc.). Valid XML conforms to a DTD or XSD schema. This tool checks well-formedness.
Is the XML declaration (<?xml ...?>) required?▼
Not required but recommended. Without it, UTF-8 encoding is assumed. Other encodings must be declared explicitly.
When should I use CDATA sections?▼
Use <![CDATA[ ... ]]> when including HTML or special characters (<, >, &) as text without escaping them.
What is XML Formatter?
Format XML documents with proper indentation and line breaks for readability. Validates XML syntax and structure. Also supports minification for compact output.