Format XML code in Eclipse

Question

When I write .xml files in Eclipse, I often have to manually indent code. For example

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout
xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:background="@color/background"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:layout_width="fill_parent" />

After formatting it looks like this.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
   <LinearLayout   
      xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      android:background="@color/background"
      android:layout_height="fill_parent"   
      android:layout_width="fill_parent" />

How to automate this? I can't find formatting settings in Eclipse for XML.

CTRL + A to select the entire text and then CTRL + SHIFT + F — Sanjay T. Sharma
– Sanjay T. Sharma, Commented Dec 24, 2010 at 17:24
I know of this feature. Where do I set it up? I can't find it in Window->Preferences->XML. I don't like the way it cuts attributes. — sandalone
– sandalone, Commented Dec 24, 2010 at 17:28

ShadowScripter · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-18 10:39:34Z

122

Ctrl+Shift+F

Will do it for you, and you can configure it in

Window -> Preferences -> XML -> Xml Files -> Editor

edited Feb 18, 2013 at 10:39

ShadowScripter

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answered Dec 24, 2010 at 17:20

Denis Palnitsky

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5 Comments

sandalone Over a year ago

I know of this feature. Where do I set it up? I can't find it in Window->Preferences->XML. I don't like the way it cuts attributes.

Denis Palnitsky Over a year ago

if options in Window->Preferences->XML->Xml Files->Editor not enough then I don't know the answer

Greg Kramida Over a year ago

Took me awhile to figure out there are actually two "sub-tabs" in the Eclipse XML Editor, "Design" and "Source", and this only applies to the "Source" one. The "sub-tabs" are underneath the actual editor tab/view.

WORMSS Over a year ago

This does not solve the issue for me, There is no "Save Action" menu as there is for Java. If I have a document that already has Tabs and spaces in. When I click save, the tabs are not removed and converted to spaces.

Park JongBum Over a year ago

and then "[v] Split multiple attributes each on a new line" and then ReStart eclipse.

Paul Gestwicki · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-13 17:35:38Z

38

As stated above, Ctrl+Shift+F will auto-format. However, by default Eclipse will split attributes in a naive way. If you're like me and prefer to have all the attributes on their own lines, go to Window→Preferences→XML→XML Files→Editor and check Split multiple attributes each on a new line.

answered Mar 13, 2011 at 17:35

Paul Gestwicki

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Comments

Yuval · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-25 15:14:54Z

16

You need to open the file using the XML Editor, swap to Source view and then do the Ctrl + Shift + F trick.

edited Dec 25, 2011 at 15:14

Yuval

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answered Aug 2, 2011 at 10:50

Robert Baldock

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1 Comment

Velusamy Velu Over a year ago

It's critical to open the XML file using the XML Editor in order for CTRL+Shift+F key combination to work.

madoke · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-15 19:35:17Z

14

CMD + SHIFT + F for Macintosh users

answered Apr 15, 2012 at 19:35

madoke

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2 Comments

Jim L. Over a year ago

this doesn't work for me under OSX Mavericks, using the Eclipse Luna Modeling Tools configuration.

Donal Fellows Over a year ago

This is the correct default key sequence for autoformat. It's possible to change it, or to have a plugin change/interfere with it. Which can be annoying!

sudhir · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-28 14:34:35Z

3

open windows->preferences->xml files->editor enter some high number for line width, say 999 and then format the xml file with ctrl+shift+F.

You ll see the lines are aligned properly.

edited Jul 28, 2015 at 14:34

answered Jul 27, 2015 at 4:52

sudhir

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1 Comment

Bruce Over a year ago

this answer is already posted. then why are posting it again the same answer...??

Ironcache · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-29 23:43:54Z

-2

You can set the default XML editor to “Java Editor”:

Right-click on the XML
Open With
Other...
Java Editor

This applies all java formatting and controls over XML file.

edited Jan 29, 2018 at 23:43

Ironcache

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answered Jan 29, 2018 at 19:56

Kalyan

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