XML Formatter
Format and validate your XML code instantly
This XML formatter indents and pretty-prints XML documents so nested elements and attributes are easy to read, and flags malformed markup like unclosed tags or mismatched namespaces. Formatting happens entirely client-side — your XML stays in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does XML validation actually check?
The validator checks that your XML is well-formed: every tag is closed, elements are properly nested, and attribute values are quoted. It does not check against a specific XSD schema — it verifies structural validity, not business rules.
Can I convert XML to JSON or YAML?
Yes, use the converter links above the editor. Element text content, attributes, and nested structures are mapped to equivalent JSON or YAML structures automatically.
Does the formatter preserve CDATA sections and comments?
Yes, CDATA blocks and XML comments are preserved during formatting; only whitespace and indentation are normalized.
Why is my XML flagged as invalid?
The most common causes are an unclosed tag, mismatched opening/closing tag names, or an attribute value missing quotes. Run Validate to see the specific line where parsing failed.
Can I see what changed while I was editing?
Yes — click Snapshot to save a checkpoint of your current XML, then keep editing. A button appears when the content differs from that checkpoint, opening a diff view. The comparison ignores element/attribute order and formatting, so reformatting alone won't count as a change.
Have suggestions or feedback? We're constantly improving FormatChamp based on your comments.