SQL Prettify

About SQL Query Formatting

SQL formatting transforms poorly structured SQL queries into well-organized, readable code with proper indentation, keyword capitalization, and logical structure. Essential for maintaining large codebases, code reviews, and team collaboration.

Proper indentation and line breaks
Keyword capitalization and standardization
Logical grouping of clauses and conditions
Comment preservation and formatting
Support for multiple SQL dialects

SQL Formatting Features

Structure Enhancement

Proper clause alignment (SELECT, FROM, WHERE)
Consistent indentation levels
Logical line breaking
Subquery formatting and nesting
JOIN clause organization

Style Options

Keyword capitalization (UPPER/lower/Title)
Custom indentation (spaces or tabs)
Line length control
Comma placement (leading or trailing)
Function and operator spacing

Frequently Asked Questions

How to format SQL query?

Paste your raw SQL into the input area and click the format button. The utilAZ SQL prettifier will automatically add proper indentation, line breaks, and keyword capitalization so your query is easy to read and maintain.

What is SQL prettifier?

A SQL prettifier is a tool that reformats SQL code by adding consistent indentation, capitalizing keywords, and organizing clauses onto separate lines. It does not change query logic or results. utilAZ provides a free browser-based SQL prettifier that works instantly with no sign-up.

How to beautify SQL code online free?

Open the utilAZ SQL Prettify tool, paste your unformatted SQL into the editor, and the tool will restructure it with clean indentation and keyword formatting. The entire process runs in your browser at no cost and your data is never stored on any server.

How to indent SQL in SSMS?

SQL Server Management Studio does not include a built-in auto-formatter. You can select your code and press Tab to indent manually, or paste your query into the utilAZ SQL Prettify tool to format it automatically, then copy the result back into SSMS.

Best online SQL formatter?

utilAZ offers a free online SQL formatter that supports keyword uppercasing, custom indentation, and multiple SQL dialects. It runs entirely in the browser, requires no account, and preserves your data privacy, making it a reliable choice for developers.

SQL Formatting Examples

Before Formatting (Unreadable):

select u.id,u.name,u.email,p.title,p.created_at from users u inner join posts p on u.id=p.user_id where u.active=1 and p.published=true and u.created_at>='2023-01-01' order by p.created_at desc limit 10;

Issues: No indentation, no line breaks, difficult to understand structure

After Formatting (Readable):

SELECT 
    u.id,
    u.name,
    u.email,
    p.title,
    p.created_at
FROM 
    users u
INNER JOIN 
    posts p ON u.id = p.user_id
WHERE 
    u.active = 1
    AND p.published = true
    AND u.created_at >= '2023-01-01'
ORDER BY 
    p.created_at DESC
LIMIT 10;

Improvements: Clear structure, proper alignment, easy to read and modify

SQL Formatting Styles

Compact Style:

SELECT id, name, email
FROM users u
JOIN profiles p ON u.id = p.user_id
WHERE u.active = 1
  AND p.verified = true
ORDER BY u.created_at DESC;

Less vertical space, good for simple queries

Expanded Style:

SELECT 
    id,
    name,
    email
FROM 
    users u
JOIN 
    profiles p 
    ON u.id = p.user_id
WHERE 
    u.active = 1
    AND p.verified = true
ORDER BY 
    u.created_at DESC;

More vertical space, clearer structure for complex queries

Advanced SQL Constructs

Modern SQL includes many advanced features that benefit from consistent formatting. Our formatter handles these constructs automatically, so you can focus on writing logic rather than aligning keywords.

Common Table Expressions (CTEs)

CTEs defined with WITH ... AS are indented as named blocks. Each CTE body is indented one level deeper, making multi-step pipelines easy to follow.

Example: WITH cte AS (SELECT ...) SELECT ... FROM cte

Window Functions

OVER() clauses with PARTITION BY and ORDER BY are broken onto separate indented lines, keeping complex analytics readable at a glance.

Example: ROW_NUMBER() OVER (PARTITION BY dept ORDER BY salary DESC)

Subqueries

Inline and correlated subqueries are wrapped in parentheses and indented, clearly distinguishing inner queries from outer ones.

Example: WHERE id IN (SELECT user_id FROM ...)

CASE Expressions

CASE WHEN ... THEN ... ELSE ... END blocks are aligned vertically so each branch is on its own line for easy review.

Example: CASE WHEN status = 1 THEN 'Active' ELSE 'Inactive' END

Paste any query containing these constructs into the formatter and it will be restructured with clean, consistent indentation instantly.

SQL Formatting Best Practices

Consistent Casing: Choose uppercase or lowercase for keywords and stick to it
Logical Indentation: Indent subqueries and nested conditions consistently
One Column Per Line: List SELECT columns vertically for easier modification
Align Related Elements: Align JOIN conditions and WHERE clauses
Use Comments: Add explanatory comments for complex logic
Group Related Conditions: Use parentheses to group logical conditions
Meaningful Aliases: Use clear, descriptive table and column aliases

SQL Formatting Tools

Popular SQL Formatters:

VS Code Extensions:

SQL Formatter
SQLTools
PostgreSQL Formatter

Command Line Tools:

sqlformat (Python)
pg_format (PostgreSQL)
sql-formatter (Node.js)

Online Tools:

SQL Pretty Printer
Format SQL
SQL Formatter Online

Database IDEs:

DBeaver
DataGrip
SQL Server Management Studio

Common Use Cases

Code review preparation
Legacy code cleanup and refactoring
Team coding standards enforcement
Database migration scripts
Query optimization and debugging
Documentation and tutorials
Automated CI/CD code formatting
Database schema maintenance