SQL Formatter
An SQL Formatter takes unstructured, minified, or hand-written SQL and restructures it with consistent keyword capitalisation, clause indentation, and multi-line spacing so developers and DBAs can read, review, and debug queries more efficiently.
What is SQL Formatter?
SQL queries—especially those auto-generated by ORMs or concatenated in application code—are often a single unbroken line. This formatter uses the sql-formatter library to parse your SQL, identify keywords (SELECT, FROM, JOIN, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY), and place each on its own properly indented line. All formatting happens in your browser without sending schema information or data to any server.
Use Cases
- Beautifying auto-generated ORM queries for code review.
- Formatting long analytical queries with nested subqueries.
- Structuring SQL before adding it to technical documentation.
- Debugging stored procedures and complex JOINs.
How to Use It
Paste your raw or minified SQL query into the editor.
Select your SQL dialect (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, SQLite, etc.).
Click Format to see the structured result instantly.
Copy the beautified SQL or download it as a .sql file.
Pros
- Supports multiple SQL dialects.
- Keyword capitalisation applied automatically.
- 100% client-side—no schema or data leaves the browser.
Limitations
- Cannot execute queries—formatting only.
- Very complex PL/pgSQL or T-SQL procedural blocks may not format perfectly.
Best Practices
- Always capitalise SQL keywords (SELECT, WHERE, JOIN) for readability.
- Put each SELECT column on its own line in queries with more than 3 columns.
- Alias tables with short, meaningful abbreviations (u for users, o for orders).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing UPPERCASE and lowercase SQL keywords randomly.
- Nesting subqueries without any indentation, hiding structure.
- Omitting semicolons in multi-statement scripts.
FAQs
Which SQL dialects are supported?
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle, MariaDB, and standard ANSI SQL.
Is my query sent to a server?
No. All formatting runs in the browser using the sql-formatter JavaScript library. Your queries and table names remain private.