XML editors are entirely different from the word processing tools as these are added with the functionalities of editing XML files. XML editing is done by way of using any plain text editor with all the code visible, however, with the extra functionalities of performing tag completion and the integration of menus and buttons for tasks that are standard requirement of XML editing. These are based on data supplied with DTD or XML tree. In addition to standard XML editors, there are multiple graphical editors as will that are integrated with the functions of hiding the code of any file in the background and present the content to the users in a more non-disruptive format, approximating the rendered version or editing forms. This system of later on XML editors is suitable for those users who are not fluent in XML code and require to provide the information in XML-based documents including expenditure reports and time sheets. The system of syntax detail makes the professional users to work even faster and in a more convenient environment. We have compiled the list of advanced XML editor that have the solution in the shape of XML Editor, XML Author, XML Web Author, XML Developer and Web Help. Some of these are based on the traditional way of working but there are several to deliver you the graphical way of editing.
14 Best XML Editor Software
#1 Essential XML Editor
Essential XML Editor is a lightweight tool for text-based XML document editing. There is the integration of the XML well-formedness tester, DTD validator, and Saxon SXLT processor that is a part of this tool. It is a pack of advanced features like plugin for third-party Relax NG and W3C XML Schema validators. This editor is particularly designed for the Windows operating systems and available for up to Windows 7 versions only.
In term of features and functions, it is really the powerhouse containing the features about the color-coded text-based Unicode editor, supports XML, document saving in UTF-8, integrated into DTD validator, line bookmarks, unlimited undo/redo, search/replace the system, reload, shortcuts for every command, detailed page setup, print preview dialogs, a plugin for the Saxon XSLT processor, external hex editor can be associated via preferences, automatic update notification, loading of multiple format documents and much more. The premium version of Essential XML Editor contains the most advanced features for the premium users only.
#2 FontoXML
FontoXML is a web-based XML editor for the subject matter experts and occasional content contributors looking for authoring solutions to create structured and brilliant content. It has sub-divided its functioning into three main areas that are authoring solutions, web-based XML editor, and FontoXML add-ons. This solution assists the occasional authors who do not know XML. The web-based XML editor adapts to any XML schema and CMS infrastructure.
A wide range of add-ons and extensions are part of it that can be integrated using APIs or web services. It will deliver you the benefits in the shape of structured content, easy integration, and continuous improvement. The implementing system doesn’t require an investment in CMS or repositories. The real-time features and functions of the FontoXML are the availability of a large number of add-ons, real-time validation, copy and paste system, WYSIWYG, structure & source view, easy integration with E-CMS/DAM, configuring templates, dashboard with user analytics, localization of the user interface, making notes and comments, change tracking, spell checking, support for large documents, etc.
#3 Xmplify XML Editor
Xmplify XML Editor is the name of a professional level of XML editor designed for the Mac OS X operating systems with XML schema-based auto-completion, DTD, and automatic document validation. It delivers one of the best editing environments to its users, making them able to enjoy the support of XSLT, XPath, and HTML preview and much more.
Being an application for Mac OS X, this application provides an outline view of the document that shows its structure and automatically keeps the outline up to date to reflect the latest edits. In terms of features and functionalities, Xmplify XML Editor is much featured rich.
Some of the advanced levels of features of the Xmplify XML Editor are fully XML-aware editing environment, automatic document verification, auto-completion system, node documentation system, and automatic schema derivation. It also offers to navigate quickly to element definitions, XSL transformations, web preview, powerful searching by both XPath and Regular Expression, and much more.
Xmplify XML Editor is being used by multiple ranges of education and research institutions, individuals, and business persons. If the documents you are using specified a DTD or XML Schema, Xmplify XML Editor will automatically use that to verify your document’s content. The verification results are automatically kept up to date as you edit the document. The auto-complete system of this program will make you able to get intelligent auto-completion suggestions.
#4 MoreMotion XML Editor
MoreMotion XML Editor is a free XML editor to develop XSL, XML and Ajax-powered web applications. It is part of MoreMotion Application Studio, a rapid web application development program based on the MoreMotion AG. Using the rational approaches it provides to the application development, it has an accepted superiority over other IDEs and web-based application development issues. If you are running a legacy system with hundreds of pages to get renewed with a new approach, then it is surely the right tool for you. The main advantage of using this editor is that it has a user-friendly interface that even makes beginners enjoy simple XML editing.
Some of its main highlighted features and functions are syntax highlighting, automatic tag closing, various encoding options, Pretty format, XML verification, etc. Using this tool, you can easily edit the XML files commonly used in the MoreMotion projects or by another program. All those projects with the extension of .mm can be fully compiled in the MoreMotion XML Editor. One of the best things about it is that it contains a system for customizable keyboard shortcuts that the users can customize as per their own requirements. The users can define the new keyboard shortcuts as well.
#5 XMLQuire
XMLQuire is a free XML editor that will provide you a new editing experience. The best part of this editor is that it delivers an easy-to-use interface to its developers, programmers, and designers. It is fully automated and entirely separate from XML content. It doesn’t require formatting tabs and spaces at all. Double-clicking on the XMLQuire Location bar will automatically launch the integrated XPath Editor that features the full auto-completion and a unique predicate trace capability. The two main products of the XMLQuire are Path Editor and XML Editor, and both deliver two different sets of features and functions to the developers and programmers.
It is entirely different from other editors because all XML indentation is virtual and handled entirely by this editor; no tab or space characters are used. You will always explore a versatile integrated XPath that includes powerful trace features and an expression management system. The main advantages of using XMLQuire are that indentation is automatically updated as you type; indentation is preserved with word-wrap. The integrity of required whitespace content is maintained, switchable indentation, consistent indentation, hardcopy painting, simplicity, etc.
#6 XRay XML Editor
XRay XML Editor is an advanced and real-time XML editor for validating XML files. As soon as this tool is opened, it will start listing the errors to make you able to check if the documents you are editing are correct or not. The best part of this editor is that you don’t need to parse your file as it will be constantly parsed when you create it. If you have no prior knowledge of XML editing or you are unfamiliar with parsing or validating, then it can work as your personal assistant to check the XRay in different formats.
XRay is basically an integrated feature in this editor that supports the W3C Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation. This function is a real-time transformation of XML structures, including the HTML using XSLT. For the assistance of the users, there is an integrated HTML view for the quick development of XML-based web pages. One of its best features is its real-time schema validation function designed to identify and display and errors as the user type.
#7 iXedit – XML Editor
iXedit – XML Editor platform provides ultra-modern tools that will speed up your XML coding process. It is an all-in-one XML editor, authoring, and coding tool for enjoying simple working. It will allow you to speed up your XML coding for syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and templates for XML and scripting languages. It supports the enhanced auto-completion and template support for XML and widely used scripting languages like PHP, ASP, Java, and JavaScript.
This tool features to minimize mistyping, save time, efficient working, and various other useful tools. The best part of iXedit – XML Editor is that it provides import and export functions in formats of Excel, databases, and complex text files. Its main highlighted features and functions are well-formed checking, DTD validation, part-by-part editing, user templates, XSLT processing, DTD-based auto-completion, XSLT processing, and export and import to other formats.
#8 XPontus XML Editor
XPontus XML Editor is a simple and easy-to-use XML editor for text editing. It is an expert in performing validation, XSL transformation, DTD/schema generation, code completion, code formatting, etc. The latest version is integrated with a plugin-based system to solve limitation issues. It is one of the best alternatives to the other leading XML editors for its distinguishing features and functions.
Its main advantages are the functionality of a fully integrated XML editor, integration easily in popular IDES like Netbeans and Eclipse, and integration for the other application requiring XML needs. The main highlighted features and functions are nodularity, code completion, XPath support, syntax highlighting, XSL transformations, best validation system, code structure browser, code indentation, file system abstractions, schema generation/conversion, documentation generator, multiple installers, and platform interoperability as XPontus. This editor is written in Java to run on almost all leading operating systems and devices like Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, and UNIX-based operating systems.
#9 Peter’s XML Editor
Peter’s XML Editor is a highly advanced XML editor offering two basic requirements of syntax highlighting and customizable source view. It supports the code-template and auto-complete system. It has the ability to add, edit and delete attributes, elements, text, CDATA, etc. This unique level of XML editor supports the editing based on a syntax highlighting or tree view source. It delivers a wide range of features and functions to its users.
One of the best things about Peter’s XML Editor is its user-friendly interface that will allow you to navigate easily. There is a proper comprehensive file help system in this editor as well. The tool provides a range of features in an intuitive easy to use environment. It is currently available for the Windows XP versions.-
#10 EditiX
EditiX is a quality generated XML editor and XSLT editor for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux operating systems. Its functions are limited to editing, but it can even perform Visual Schema editing, XQuery Editor, and XSLT debugger. Those designers, web authors, apps makers, and programmers who want to take advantage of DocBook, XSD Schema, and XSLT/FO in a single all-in-one editor will surely get the benefit of using this tool.
A few of the biggest advantages of using this tool are the functionalities it offers for its users in the shape of a redefined IDE that assists them with smart entry helpers. It has a real-time XPath location and syntax error detection system whose requirements can be best understood by experienced programmers and developers. It will provide you with the context syntax popup supporting DTD, schema and RelatxNG, multiple templates, and project management. In short, you are going to enjoy the real-time feature in EditiX like availability of multiple editors, powerful XPath builder/DocBook transformation, template support, open XML format editor, fully customizable environment, XMLK differencing, open document editor, and much more.
#11 XMLmind XML Editor
XMLmind XML Editor is best known for delivering the highly extensible XML editor that is used to create documents conforming to create the custom schema. It is a strictly validating, DocBook editor, DITA editor, XHTML editor, WYSIWYG, XML editor, and much more with the leading functionalities. Being an extensible XML editor, this one may also be used to create documents conforming to their own custom schema.
This Editor is generally designed for technical writers who need to author large, complex, modular documents. The three synchronized views system of the same document makes the users able to view all editing fully editable. Moreover, available functions and features in this editor are tag view, source view, DITA bookmap, DITA task, editing of MathML equation found in a DocBook 5 document.
Furthermore, it also includes, XHTML 5 controls any ruby elements when the Emulate Web Browser CSS has been selected, form controls embedded in a styled view, DITA map tutorial-book.ditmap opened in a Navigation Pane and three topic which is a reference in this map, the browse file system, the comparing tools to show the differences existing between doc.xml and docB.xml displayed side by side, editing a spreadsheet formula inserted in an XHTML document and much more.
#12 XML Notepad
XML Notepad is an open-source XML editor based on some features of the Notepad. It is very different from the simple text editor. The exceptional feature of this tool is that it delivers a user-friendly interface for editing and browsing XML documents. Some of the handy features that you are going to experience are tree view synchronized with Node Text View for quick editing of node names & values, incremental search system in both tree and text views, support for unlimited cut/copy/paste, and drag and drop feature for easy manipulation of the tree.
Furthermore, it also features configurable fonts and colors via the options dialog, best performance on large XML documents, loading of a 3MB document in about one second, integrated XML diff tool, support for XInclude, go to definition to navigate includes and XSD schema information, support for custom editors for data Time, date, data types and much more. XML Notepad is the provider of intelligence-based expected elements, attributes, and enumerated simple values. Toolbar buttons here provide the quick movement of nodes up and down the tree.
#13 XMLSpy XML editor
XMLSpy is also known as XML editor and integrated development environment. It is designed and developed by a famous company Altova. This platform allows you to create web services and XML-based applications by using multiple technologies, just like XPath, XQuery, SOAP, WSDL, XML, and XML Schema. This editor is specially used for editing, transforming, debugging, and modeling purposes.
The interface of this product is straightforward and easy to understand. It contains various options that you can use to make your code much better. Now don’t need to worry about your code bugs because this platform provides you with a fantastic feature of debugging through which you can make your code errors free.
In case if you get confused regarding the bug fixing, this software provides you with multiple alternatives that you can use in your code. It also allows you to create schemas in a drag-and-drop and visual manner so that you can concentrate on the semantics of your schema.
#14 Oxygen XML Editor
Oxygen XML Editor is a multi-platform tool for XML editing. Being one of the leading and advanced level of XML editor, Oxygen XML Editor delivers the most state of the helpful art tool for XML editing and another advanced level of editing tools. For its availability of multiple purposes along with various helping tools, Oxygen XML Editor is said to be the advanced and the complete solution for XML authoring and development.
It has the solution in the shape of XML Editor, XML Author, XML Web Author, XML Developer and Web Help. Means from simple editing to authoring and developing, Oxygen XML Editor has the solution for all requirements of the developers and programmers. All these tools are available in a single suite of Oxygen XML Editor.
The basic purpose of all these tools is to assist the users to perform their creating, editing and publishing of XML documents in a very user-friendly environment. The best thing about Oxygen XML Editor is that it can be used in conjunction with rest of the XML based technologies as it includes a wide range of developing and editing tools.
The features and technologies that you will enjoy in the Oxygen XML Editor are XML IDE, XML Validation, XML Schema modelling, XQuery support, XPath support, native XML and relational databases, etc.