SQL Formatter & Beautifier

What is a SQL Formatter?

A SQL formatter is a tool that automatically beautifies and organizes SQL queries for better readability. It applies consistent indentation, line breaks, and spacing to SQL code, making it easier to understand, debug, and maintain. SQL formatters are essential for database developers, data analysts, and anyone working with complex database queries.

Why Use a SQL Formatter?

• Improved Readability: Transform complex one-line queries into well-structured, easy-to-read code
• Debugging: Quickly identify syntax errors and logical issues in formatted queries
• Code Review: Make SQL code easier to review and understand for team members
• Consistency: Maintain consistent SQL code style across your projects
• Learning: Understand SQL query structure better with properly formatted examples
• Documentation: Create clean SQL examples for documentation and tutorials
• Performance Analysis: Better visualize query execution flow and JOIN relationships
• Collaboration: Share readable SQL queries with team members and stakeholders

Common Use Cases

• Database Development: Format complex queries during application development
• Data Analysis: Clean up ad-hoc queries for reports and data exploration
• Query Optimization: Analyze and optimize slow database queries
• Code Migration: Format legacy SQL code during database migrations
• Stored Procedures: Beautify stored procedures and functions
• ORM Debugging: Format SQL generated by ORMs like Hibernate, Entity Framework
• SQL Learning: Study and understand complex SQL examples
• Database Administration: Format maintenance scripts and DDL statements
• API Development: Debug database queries in backend applications
• SQL Injection Testing: Analyze and format SQL injection payloads for security testing

Supported SQL Dialects

Features

• Smart Indentation: Automatic indentation for nested queries and subqueries
• Keyword Case Control: Choose UPPERCASE, lowercase, or preserve original case
• Customizable Spacing: Configure indent size (2, 4, 8 spaces or tabs)
• JOIN Formatting: Special formatting for JOIN clauses for better readability
• Minification: Compress SQL by removing unnecessary whitespace
• Keyword Alignment: Optionally align keywords vertically
• Line Break Control: Add line breaks before major keywords
• Statistics: View character count and line count
• Privacy Focused: All formatting happens in your browser
• Fast Performance: Instant formatting for queries of any size

SQL Best Practices

• Use UPPERCASE for SQL keywords (SELECT, FROM, WHERE) for better visibility
• Use lowercase for table names and column names for consistency
• Always use table aliases for multi-table queries to improve readability
• Put each major clause (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, etc.) on a new line
• Indent nested subqueries and JOIN clauses for visual hierarchy
• Use meaningful column aliases with AS keyword
• Format WHERE conditions with proper indentation
• Group related columns together in SELECT statements
• Add comments to explain complex logic
• Use consistent indentation (4 spaces is standard)

Examples

select id,name,email from users where status='active' order by created_at desc;

SELECT
    id,
    name,
    email
FROM users
WHERE status = 'active'
ORDER BY created_at DESC;

SELECT
    u.id,
    u.name,
    COUNT(o.id) AS order_count,
    SUM(o.total) AS total_spent
FROM users u
    LEFT JOIN orders o
        ON u.id = o.user_id
WHERE u.status = 'active'
    AND u.created_at >= '2024-01-01'
GROUP BY
    u.id,
    u.name
HAVING COUNT(o.id) > 5
ORDER BY total_spent DESC
LIMIT 10;

SELECT
    product_name,
    price
FROM products
WHERE price > (
    SELECT AVG(price)
    FROM products
    WHERE category = 'Electronics'
)
ORDER BY price DESC;

Frequently Asked Questions