SQL Formatter & Beautifier

What Is SQL Formatting and Why Does It Matter?

SQL formatting transforms dense, single-line queries into structured, readable code by applying consistent indentation, line breaks, and keyword casing. Unformatted SQL like SELECT u.id,u.name,COUNT(o.id) FROM users u LEFT JOIN orders o ON u.id=o.user_id GROUP BY u.id becomes difficult to debug when queries grow beyond 50+ characters.

Formatted SQL reduces code review time by 30-50% because reviewers can scan clause boundaries visually. It also catches errors early—misaligned JOIN conditions and missing WHERE clauses become obvious when each clause occupies its own line.

SELECT u.id, u.name, COUNT(o.id) as order_count FROM users u LEFT JOIN orders o ON u.id = o.user_id WHERE u.status = 'active' GROUP BY u.id, u.name HAVING COUNT(o.id) > 5;

SELECT
  u.id,
  u.name,
  COUNT(o.id) AS order_count
FROM users u
LEFT JOIN orders o
  ON u.id = o.user_id
WHERE u.status = 'active'
GROUP BY u.id, u.name
HAVING COUNT(o.id) > 5;

How to Format SQL Queries

1. Paste your SQL query into the input field—single statements or batches separated by semicolons
2. Select your database dialect (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, etc.) for syntax-aware formatting
3. Configure formatting options: indentation width (2/4 spaces or tabs), uppercase keywords, line spacing between queries
4. Click Format SQL to generate the beautified output
5. Copy the result to your clipboard with one click

Processing happens entirely in the browser using the sql-formatter library—queries never leave your device, making this safe for production SQL containing table names, column structures, or business logic.

Which SQL Dialects Are Supported?

Each database engine extends ANSI SQL with proprietary syntax. Selecting the correct dialect ensures backticks, square brackets, and database-specific operators format correctly:

When to Format vs. Minify SQL

• Format for development: Readable SQL in version control, code reviews, and documentation. Formatted queries diff cleanly in Git because each clause is on a separate line.
• Minify for production: Compact SQL embedded in application code or ORMs. Minification removes whitespace, reducing query string size by 40-60% for large batch operations.
• Format before debugging: Complex queries with multiple JOINs, subqueries, or CTEs become traceable when formatted. Execution plan analysis requires seeing the query structure.
• Format legacy migrations: Inherited codebases often contain concatenated SQL strings or auto-generated queries. Formatting exposes structural issues before refactoring.

SQL Formatting Standards by Team Size

Formatting rules should match your development workflow:

• Solo developers: Personal preference rules. Consistency matters more than specific choices—pick 2-space or 4-space indentation and uppercase or lowercase keywords, then stick with it.
• Small teams (2-10): Document your style in a README or wiki. Configure this formatter with your team's settings and share the URL with query parameters.
• Large organizations: Integrate SQL formatting into CI/CD pipelines. Tools like sqlfluff or pre-commit hooks enforce formatting before merge. This formatter produces output compatible with standard linting rules.

The uppercase keywords convention (SELECT, FROM, WHERE) dates to mainframe terminals where case distinguished reserved words from user data. Modern databases are case-insensitive for keywords, but uppercase remains the dominant convention in enterprise codebases.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Workflow Tips

• Paste and auto-format: Typing or pasting into the input field triggers automatic formatting
• Dialect switching: Changing the dialect dropdown reformats immediately—useful for testing cross-database compatibility
• Quick examples: Load sample queries (Simple SELECT, JOIN, Subquery) to test formatting options before pasting your own code
• Copy shortcut: The Copy button copies formatted output to clipboard; paste directly into SSMS, pgAdmin, DataGrip, or VS Code

Privacy and Security

All processing runs client-side in JavaScript. SQL queries are not transmitted to any server, stored in logs, or tracked by analytics. You can verify this in browser DevTools—no network requests occur during formatting.

Security reminder: Never paste literal passwords, API keys, or connection strings into any web tool. Replace sensitive values with placeholders like '[PASSWORD]' before formatting example queries.