XML Fast Formatter

Format XML files instantly — lightweight and fast, inspired by Notepad++ Pretty Print.

Version: 1.7.0

Screenshots

Right-click context menu with Format XML options

Features

XML Formatting

• Three formatting modes:
  • Compact: Keeps all attributes on a single line
  • Semi-Expanded: Splits attributes when the line exceeds the print width
  • Expanded: Places each attribute on its own line with alignment
• Configurable indentation: Respects your editor settings or use custom values
• Selection support: Formats only the selected text, or the entire document if nothing is selected
• Smart inline elements: Keeps <Tag>text</Tag> on a single line
• Preserves empty elements: Does not convert <Tag></Tag> to <Tag/>
• Comments and CDATA: Preserves <!-- --> and <![CDATA[...]]> as-is
• Declarations at root: <?xml ...?> and <!DOCTYPE ...> are placed without indentation

Real-time XML Validation

• Automatic error detection: Analyzes your XML as you type
• Visual diagnostics: Displays errors and warnings inline (like Error Lens)
• Validations included:
  • ❌ Unclosed tags
  • ❌ Mismatched closing tags
  • ❌ Closing tags without an opening tag
  • ❌ Unclosed XML comments (<!--)
  • ❌ Unclosed CDATA sections (<![CDATA[)
  • ❌ Malformed tags (missing >)
  • ⚠️ Warnings on tags related to errors

Usage

Compact Mode (all attributes on one line)

Semi-Expanded Mode

Expanded Mode (one attribute per line)

Configuration

Option 1: Use your editor settings (recommended)

The extension automatically respects your VS Code configuration:

{
  "editor.tabSize": 4,
  "editor.insertSpaces": true
}

Option 2: Extension-specific settings

Override the editor settings just for this extension:

{
  "xmlFastFormatter.indentSize": 2,
  "xmlFastFormatter.useSpaces": true,
  "xmlFastFormatter.printWidth": 120
}

Fallback default: 4 spaces if no configuration is found.

Examples

Compact

<Order localOrderKey="1" operatorId="123" operatorName="GIGIGO" storeId="809998" status="128">
    <Item index="1" currentSelected="true">
        <product code="105" qty="1" unitPrice="990.00"></product>
    </Item>
</Order>

Expanded

<Order localOrderKey="1"
       operatorId="123"
       operatorName="GIGIGO"
       storeId="809998"
       status="128">
    <Item index="1"
          currentSelected="true">
        <product code="105"
                 qty="1"
                 unitPrice="990.00"></product>
    </Item>
</Order>

Manual Installation

1. Download the .vsix file
2. In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P → Extensions: Install from VSIX...
3. Select the .vsix file
4. Reload VS Code

License

MIT