Formatter tools for readable JSON, SQL, XML, HTML, and logs
Formatters are most useful when raw text is valid enough to parse but too dense to reason about. This page groups the formatting tools developers reach for during API debugging, query review, incident notes, and copied log cleanup.
Tools in this workflow
Formatters
OpenJSON Formatter
Pretty-print raw JSON, minify payloads, and inspect syntax errors with clear feedback.
Formatters
OpenSQL Formatter
Beautify SQL queries for easier reading, code review, and debugging across environments.
Formatters
OpenXML Formatter
Indent raw XML, keep tag structure readable, and quickly spot malformed markup.
Formatters
OpenHTML Formatter
Format raw HTML into readable markup for debugging templates, snippets, and rendered output.
Formatters
OpenJSON Beautifier / Minifier
Switch between readable JSON and compact JSON without leaving the browser.
Formatters
OpenHTML Beautifier / Minifier
Toggle between readable HTML and compact markup for snippets, templates, and embeds.
Dev Debug Helpers
OpenMongo Query Formatter
Beautify Mongo-style query snippets so operators, selectors, and pipelines are easier to read.
Dev Debug Helpers
OpenLog Prettifier
Format JSON logs and semi-structured log lines into cleaner readable output for debugging.
Related guides
Common JSON syntax errors and how to fix them
A practical guide to the JSON mistakes developers see most often: trailing commas, single quotes, comments, unescaped characters, and broken nesting.
Why formatting SQL queries helps debugging
Learn how SQL formatting makes long queries easier to review, compare, optimize, and explain during backend debugging.
How to prettify application logs for debugging
A practical workflow for cleaning log output, extracting stack traces, formatting JSON logs, and sharing useful debugging notes safely.
Decode Double-Encoded JSON in an API Response
Identify a JSON object wrapped inside a JSON string, decode it in two steps, and fix the serializer that produced escaped quotes.
FAQ
Do formatters change the data?
A formatter should only change whitespace, indentation, and readability. If values or field names change, stop and compare the original input before using the result.
Should I format before validating?
If the tool can validate and format together, run both. Invalid JSON, XML, or SQL fragments can only be formatted on a best-effort basis.