# SQL Formatter

> Beautify and standardize your SQL queries with proper indentation and keyword capitalization.

**Category:** Dev
**Keywords:** sql, formatter, beautify, database, query, indent, clean
**URL:** https://complete.tools/sql-formatter

## How it works

The SQL Formatter processes input SQL code by first parsing the text to identify the components of the query, such as SELECT statements, WHERE clauses, and JOIN conditions. The tool uses predefined formatting rules that dictate how each component should be spaced and indented. For example, it may convert a single line SQL query into a multi-line format, placing each clause on a separate line. The logic involves tokenizing the input string, applying indentation rules based on the SQL syntax, and finally reconstructing the formatted SQL code. This ensures that the output maintains the original logic while presenting it in a more readable format.

## Who should use this

1. Database administrators cleaning up complex SQL queries for better performance analysis. 2. Software developers sharing SQL code snippets in documentation or code reviews. 3. Data analysts preparing SQL queries for presentation to stakeholders. 4. Technical writers creating educational content that includes SQL examples. 5. Students learning SQL syntax needing an organized view of their practice queries.

## Worked examples

Example 1: Formatting a simple SELECT query. Input: 'SELECT name, age FROM users WHERE age > 30 ORDER BY age DESC;'. Output: 'SELECT name,
       age
FROM users
WHERE age > 30
ORDER BY age DESC;'. This reformats the query to make it clearer, separating the selected fields and clauses.

Example 2: Formatting a more complex query. Input: 'SELECT u.name, o.amount FROM users u JOIN orders o ON u.id = o.user_id WHERE o.amount > 1000 AND u.active = 1;'. Output: 'SELECT u.name,
       o.amount
FROM users u
JOIN orders o ON u.id = o.user_id
WHERE o.amount > 1000
  AND u.active = 1;'. This example highlights how JOINs and multiple conditions can be organized for better readability.

## Limitations

1. The tool may not handle all SQL dialects perfectly, especially those with unique syntax elements. 2. It assumes all SQL queries are correctly formed; syntax errors may lead to unpredictable formatting. 3. The formatter does not optimize queries for performance; it focuses solely on visual structure. 4. Nested queries may not be indented as expected if not formatted consistently in the input. 5. Large SQL scripts may result in performance issues due to processing overhead.

## FAQs

**Q:** How does the SQL Formatter handle nested queries?


**A:** The SQL Formatter applies indentation rules to nested queries by recognizing subqueries and adding additional indentation levels based on their position within the parent query.


**Q:** Can the tool process SQL comments?


**A:** Yes, the SQL Formatter preserves comments in the input SQL code, ensuring they remain in the same location relative to the code after formatting.


**Q:** Does the tool support all SQL functions and keywords?


**A:** While the tool covers most common SQL functions and keywords, it may not recognize every dialect-specific feature, which could affect the formatting of less common SQL constructs.


**Q:** What happens if the input SQL is not syntactically correct?


**A:** The SQL Formatter may not be able to process incorrectly formed SQL queries, resulting in either no output or an improperly formatted string. It is recommended to validate SQL syntax before formatting.

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*Generated from [complete.tools/sql-formatter](https://complete.tools/sql-formatter)*