XML Viewer & Formatter
Parse, format, and inspect XML documents in a clean tree view. Supports namespaces, attributes, CDATA sections, and deeply nested structures. Ideal for working with SOAP services, RSS feeds, Android manifests, Microsoft Office formats, and any XML-based data exchange. All processing happens entirely in-browser — your data stays private.
The parsed XML will appear here
What is XML?
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a flexible, self-descriptive markup language for storing and transporting data. Unlike HTML, XML has no predefined tags — you define your own elements and structure. XML is the foundation of SOAP web services, Android manifests, Microsoft Office formats (docx, xlsx), RSS feeds, and countless enterprise and financial systems.
Despite JSON's rise, XML remains essential in legacy integrations, financial systems (FIX protocol, SWIFT), and platforms like Salesforce, SAP, and Oracle.
XML Structure Rules
- Every XML document must have exactly one root element
- All elements must be properly nested and closed
- Attribute values must be in quotes:
attr="val" - Tags are case-sensitive:
<Name>≠<name> - Special chars must be escaped:
& < > - Declaration (optional):
<?xml version="1.0"?>
Tips & Tricks
- Collapse deep nodes to navigate large XML documents
- Spot mismatched or unclosed tags with instant validation
- Format adds consistent indentation to minified XML
- Inspect SOAP envelopes from API message logs
- All processing is in-browser — no data is uploaded
Common XML Use Cases
SOAP Services
Inspect SOAP request and response envelopes from enterprise web services.
RSS / Atom
Parse and read RSS and Atom feed structures from content publishers.
Android Manifests
View AndroidManifest.xml with formatted, readable structure.
Office Formats
Inspect the inner XML of docx and xlsx Office documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tools
XML in Enterprise Systems and Modern Development
XML (Extensible Markup Language) remains deeply embedded in enterprise systems, legacy APIs, and industry standards. While JSON has overtaken XML for REST APIs, XML is still the backbone of SOAP web services, RSS/Atom feeds, SVG graphics, XHTML documents, Android manifests, Maven/Gradle build files, and enterprise integration standards like SAML, XBRL, and HL7. Our XML viewer formats, validates, and syntax-highlights XML documents instantly in your browser — making it easy to debug SOAP responses, inspect configuration files, and review XML payloads without installing desktop tools.
XML vs JSON: When to Use Each
JSON is lighter, faster to parse, and more natural for JavaScript-based applications. XML is more verbose but offers features JSON lacks: namespaces for avoiding naming conflicts, schemas (XSD) for strict validation, XSLT for transformation, and attributes alongside element content. In regulated industries (healthcare, finance, government), XML schemas provide the strict data validation required for compliance. If you are working with both formats, use our JSON Viewer alongside this XML viewer for seamless format switching.
Debugging XML-Based Systems
XML debugging typically involves inspecting SOAP envelopes, validating RSS feed structure, or reviewing build configuration files. Common issues include unclosed tags, namespace prefix mismatches, and encoding problems with special characters. Our viewer highlights syntax errors and formats deeply nested XML into a readable, indented structure. For YAML-based configurations, use the YAML Viewer. Test API endpoints with the API Request Builder. Compare file versions using the Diff Checker. Explore all tools on the homepage.