What is XML?
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a text-based format for storing and transporting structured data. Unlike HTML, which uses a fixed set of tags, XML lets you define your own tags to describe any kind of data. It’s used in configuration files, data interchange between systems, document formats (like Office files), and many web services.
Like JSON, XML is often compressed for transmission — all whitespace stripped out — which makes it unreadable for humans. It also has strict syntax rules, and even a small mistake like an unclosed tag or a missing quote makes the document invalid.
What Does This Tool Do?
This tool formats and validates XML documents. It adds proper indentation and line breaks to make the structure clear, and reports any syntax errors it finds. Color-coded output makes it easy to distinguish tags, attributes, and content.
How to Use This Tool
- Paste your XML into the input area.
- The formatted result appears immediately.
- If there’s a syntax error, an error message indicates the problem.
- Copy the formatted output with the copy button.
Common Use Cases
- Inspecting API responses: Many legacy APIs and SOAP services return XML — format it to understand the structure.
- Editing config files: Spring, Maven, Android, and many other tools use XML configuration files.
- Validating structure: Quickly check whether your XML is well-formed before using it.
- Working with data exports: Spreadsheet apps and databases often export data as XML.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between well-formed and valid XML?
Well-formed means the XML follows basic syntax rules (all tags closed, proper nesting, etc.). Valid means the XML also conforms to a specific schema (DTD or XSD). This tool checks for well-formedness only.
Does it support XML namespaces?
Yes. Namespaces are preserved as-is in the formatted output.
Is my data private?
Yes. All processing happens locally in your browser — no data is sent anywhere.