XML Notepad for Windows

XML Notepad is a free, lightweight utility developed by Microsoft, specifically engineered for the quick viewing, editing, and validation of XML documents. This developer tool offers a powerful combination of a synchronized, dual-pane tree view and text editor, making it exceptionally intuitive for users who need to navigate and modify complex hierarchical data structures.

Unlike more monolithic, professional environments such as XMLSpy or oXygen XML Editor, which focus on advanced XSLT/XQuery and enterprise features, XML Notepad 2007 excels as a dedicated, no-frills viewer and editor. Its native tree-view interface and integrated validation give it a distinct advantage.

Powerful and intuitive interface

The application's core strength lies in its synchronized dual-pane interface. In the left pane, the Tree View clearly displays the document's structure, allowing you to expand and collapse elements. When you select a node here, the right pane instantly updates to show both the plain text of the node and any associated schema information. The interface also includes incremental search (Ctrl+I) and a robust cut/copy/paste functionality.

Editing within XML Notepad is surprisingly powerful, feeling far more sophisticated than a simple text utility. It includes full drag-and-drop support, which lets you effortlessly reorganize nodes, and handy toolbar buttons to nudge nodes up or down the structure. For heavy-duty editing, the full Find/Replace dialog supports both Regex and XPath, providing advanced search capabilities without resorting to an external tool. 

A major time-saving feature is the application's robust integration of XML Schema (XSD) support. When an XSD is associated with your document, the tool provides instant, real-time validation, flagging errors and warnings in a dedicated task list window. Although the program includes an integrated XML Diff tool and can handle large files efficiently, a significant drawback is its lack of support for opening multiple documents in tabs.

A lightweight powerhouse

XML Notepad remains an essential and enduring tool that successfully balances an intuitive design with powerful features. The program allows you to visually clarify complex XML structures through the dual-pane view and to validate associated schema information quickly. While its lack of tabbed document support is a minor inconvenience for power users, its wealth of handy features makes it an excellent free utility for XML viewing and editing.

• Fixed issues with Autoformat on Save
• New Formatting Options setting