Plugins → XML Tools → (Submenu)
With the rise of JSON, many developers have abandoned XML. However, legacy enterprise systems, Android strings.xml, Microsoft Office Open XML (.docx), and SOAP APIs still run the world. The XML Tools plugin for Notepad remains the standard for quick, reliable XML editing.
It transforms Notepad++ from a basic text editor into a validation engine and query console. If you touch XML more than twice a week, installing this plugin is not an option—it is a necessity.
Ready to upgrade your workflow? Open Notepad++, hit Plugins Admin, search XML Tools, and install it today. Your future self will thank you when that server log suddenly looks perfectly organized.
Do you use a different XML plugin? Let us know in the comments below. If you found this guide helpful, share it with a colleague still manually adding spaces to XML files!
XML Tools Plugin for Notepad++ Report
Introduction
The XML Tools plugin is a popular extension for Notepad++, a free source code editor for Windows. This plugin provides a range of tools for working with XML files, making it easier to edit, validate, and manipulate XML data.
Key Features
Benefits
System Requirements
Installation
Conclusion
The XML Tools plugin is a valuable extension for Notepad++ users who work with XML files. Its range of features, including validation, formatting, and transformation, make it an essential tool for anyone working with XML data. With its ease of installation and use, this plugin is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their XML editing and processing workflow.
XML Tools plugin is an essential extension for developers that transforms a basic text editor into a powerful XML management environment. It provides critical features such as one-click formatting ("Pretty Print"), real-time syntax checking, and schema validation. Key Features for Developers Pretty Print (XML only – with line breaks)
: Instantly formats messy, single-line XML into a readable, indented structure. Use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Shift + B for speed. Syntax Checking & Validation
: Automatically detects missing tags or malformed structures. You can validate against XSD schemas or DTDs to ensure compliance. XPath Evaluation : Allows you to test XPath expressions directly on your open file to find specific data points. Tag Auto-Close
: Speeds up manual editing by automatically adding closing tags as you type. XML to Text Conversion : Easily strips tags to extract raw data. How to Install XML Tools morbac/xmltools: XML Tools plugin for Notepad++ - GitHub
XML Tools plugin is a critical extension for developers and data analysts who work with structured data. While Notepad++ offers basic syntax highlighting for XML out of the box, the XML Tools plugin transforms the editor into a lightweight, functional IDE for XML management. Key Features and Functionality Based on the plugin's documentation and community discussions on GitHub , the tool offers several essential features: Pretty Print (Format XML)
: Automatically indents and organizes nested tags to make minified or messy code readable. Linearize XML
: The reverse of Pretty Print, this removes all whitespace and line breaks to minimize file size for transmission. Validation : It supports XSD (XML Schema Definition) DTD validation
, ensuring that the document adheres to specified structural rules. Syntax Check
: Real-time checking for malformed tags (e.g., missing closing tags or incorrect nesting). XPath Evaluation
: Allows users to run XPath queries directly within the editor to find specific data points or nodes. Tag Autoclose
: Automatically adds the corresponding closing tag when an opening tag is typed, reducing manual errors. Notepad ++ Installation Guide
Modern versions of Notepad++ make installation straightforward through the built-in management system: freeCodeCamp XML Tools Plugin - Can't get Pretty Print feature to work
XML Tools plugin is essentially the "Swiss Army Knife" for anyone handling data within
. While Notepad++ is a powerhouse on its own, it treats XML as basic text; this plugin transforms it into a specialized IDE by adding intelligent structure and validation. Core "Magic" Features
The plugin is widely loved for a few specific tools that save hours of manual cleanup: Pretty Print (Beautifier)
: This is the most famous feature. It takes "minified" XML—which often appears as one massive, unreadable line—and instantly reformats it into a clean, indented hierarchy. : You can trigger this instantly using Ctrl + Alt + Shift + B Real-Time Validation : It checks your code against XSD (XML Schema)
rules. If your data doesn't match the required structure, the plugin flags the exact line where it fails. XPath Evaluation
: For those dealing with massive datasets, this allows you to run XPath expressions to find specific nodes or data points without scrolling through thousands of lines.
: The opposite of Pretty Print. It strips all whitespace and line breaks to compress the file size, which is useful for optimizing web performance. Why Developers Swear By It
Beyond just formatting, the plugin offers advanced utilities that bridge the gap between simple text editing and complex data engineering: Auto-Close Tags : As you type , the plugin automatically generates
, preventing the common "missing closing tag" error that breaks most XML files. XSL Transformation
: It can apply XSL stylesheets to your XML data to convert it into other formats like HTML or even JSON. Syntax Checking
: Even without a schema, it can perform a "sanity check" to ensure your XML is well-formed (e.g., checking for unquoted attributes or illegal characters). Quick Setup Guide
If you're using a modern version of Notepad++, you don't need to manually move files anymore: morbac/xmltools: XML Tools plugin for Notepad++ - GitHub
Here’s a solid, informative piece you can use or adapt for a blog, documentation, or tutorial.
| Method | Steps |
|--------|-------|
| Plugins Admin (Recommended) | Plugins > Plugins Admin... → Search "XML Tools" → Check → Install |
| Manual Download | Download XMLTools.dll from GitHub (uberleg/notepad-plus-plus-xmltools) → Place in plugins\ folder → Restart Notepad++ |
Once installed, you’ll find the XML Tools menu under Plugins > XML Tools.
The plugin supports external validation. If you have an XSD schema: