SQL formatter/beautifier

Free SQL Beautifier Tool

The SQL Beautifier formats messy SQL into clean, readable, and consistently styled queries. It improves clarity, reduces errors, and speeds up debugging. Use it when you paste minified, single-line, or inconsistent SQL and need a properly indented, keyword-cased version that’s easy to review or share.

What is SQL Beautifier?

The SQL Beautifier is an online SQL formatter that transforms unstructured or hard-to-read SQL into neatly indented, readable code. It standardizes keyword casing, aligns clauses, adds line breaks, and organizes nested queries so your SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and complex JOIN statements are easier to understand.

On Monkey Type, the SQL Beautifier supports popular dialects like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, and SQLite. It does not execute SQL; it only formats your text safely in the browser. As a result, it’s ideal for code reviews, documentation, learning, and debugging.

If your query interacts with JSON columns or functions, pair this with the JSON Formatter to inspect payloads before embedding them in SQL. The SQL Beautifier on Monkey Type gives you instant, readable results with no setup required.

Why Use SQL Beautifier?

• Reduce errors during debugging: Poorly formatted SQL hides syntax issues. Beautifying the query exposes missing commas, mismatched parentheses, and ambiguous clause ordering, helping you fix problems faster.
• Improve code reviews and collaboration: Teams can read consistent, well-structured SQL at a glance. This shortens review cycles and prevents misinterpretation of complex JOINs and subqueries.
• Standardize style across projects: Enforce keyword casing (UPPER/lower), indentation size, and line breaks, so every query looks familiar—regardless of who wrote it.
• Document and share clearly: Beautified SQL is easier to paste into wikis, tickets, and PRs. It improves onboarding for new developers and analysts.
• Analyze logs and migrations: When queries are captured from logs or ORMs, they’re often minified. Formatting them reveals structure and intent. For pattern extraction in logs, the Regex Tester can complement your workflow.

How to Use SQL Beautifier on Monkey Type

1. Open the tool: Visit the SQL Beautifier on Monkey Type in your browser.
2. Paste your SQL: Copy your unformatted or minified SQL and paste it into the input area. If your SQL is Base64-encoded, decode it first using the Base64 Encoder/Decoder.
3. Select options: Choose indentation size, keyword casing, comma placement, and dialect preferences if available.
4. Click Beautify: Run the formatter to instantly transform your SQL into a clean, readable layout.
5. Review the output: Confirm keywords are consistently cased, nested queries are indented, and clauses like SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, and ORDER BY are on clear lines.
6. Copy or download: Copy the formatted SQL back to your editor or documentation. Optionally, save it for future reference.

Expected result: Your SQL becomes properly indented with standardized keyword casing, clear clause separation, and consistent spacing—making the logic easier to follow and maintain.

If your query includes XML fragments (e.g., FOR XML), validate those snippets with the XML Formatter before embedding them.

Key Features

• Multi-dialect awareness: Works with MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server (T-SQL), Oracle (PL/SQL), and SQLite conventions.
• Consistent keyword casing: Uppercase or lowercase SQL keywords for a uniform style.
• Smart indentation: Properly indents nested SELECTs, CTEs (WITH), CASE expressions, and subqueries.
• Clause line breaking: Places SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY, and LIMIT/OFFSET on logical lines.
• Comma and list alignment: Formats column lists and function arguments for readability.
• Comment preservation: Keeps inline and block comments intact while cleaning spacing around them.
• Whitespace normalization: Removes excessive spaces and blank lines without altering semantics.
• Browser-based convenience: Instant results on Monkey Type with no server-side execution.
• Works well with other tools: Combine with the JSON Formatter when handling JSON columns or the Regex Tester for log parsing.

Best Practices & Tips

• Pick a consistent style: Decide on keyword casing, indentation width, and comma placement, then use the same settings across all queries.
• Use readable aliases: Beautify your SQL and rename cryptic table aliases to meaningful ones for better comprehension in reviews.
• Break down complex queries: After beautifying, split very large queries into CTEs (WITH clauses) to isolate logic.
• Preserve important comments: Ensure TODOs, rationale, or performance notes are kept in comments before formatting.
• Validate vendor-specific syntax: Different dialects have different functions and quotes. Select the matching dialect when formatting.
• Preprocess embedded data: For JSON or XML inside SQL strings, use dedicated tools like the JSON Formatter or XML Formatter for clarity.

Common Use Cases

• Code reviews: Convert raw or minified SQL into a standard format that teammates can read quickly.
• Debugging production queries: Beautify SQL pulled from logs to trace logic, spot missing joins, and compare versions.
• Learning and documentation: Use the SQL Beautifier to understand query flow and annotate with comments for tutorials or wikis.
• ETL and analytics workflows: Clean up SQL generated by BI tools or ORMs before committing to repositories.
• Data migration scripts: Make long DDL/DML scripts human-friendly to reduce mistakes during releases.
• Working with CSV/JSON data: Format SQL and prepare datasets using tools like CSV to JSON before loading into staging tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SQL Beautifier change how my query runs?

No. The SQL Beautifier only changes whitespace, line breaks, and casing. It does not alter tokens or logic. Your query should execute exactly the same after formatting.

Which SQL dialects are supported?

The SQL Beautifier on Monkey Type supports common dialects such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server (T-SQL), Oracle (PL/SQL), and SQLite. Choose the closest match to your environment for best results.

Will comments be preserved?

Yes. Line and block comments are retained. The formatter may adjust surrounding spaces but will not remove your comments.

Can I minify SQL instead of beautifying it?

Some workflows require compact SQL. If the tool provides a “minify” option, you can compress whitespace for embedding in code or configuration. Otherwise, you can re-beautify later for readability.

What if my SQL contains JSON or XML?

Beautify the SQL structure first, then format the embedded payloads with the JSON Formatter or XML Formatter for accuracy and clarity.