FreeXmlToolkit Documentation¶
Last Updated: March 2026 | Version: 1.6.3
Welcome¶
FreeXmlToolkit is a free desktop application for working with XML files. It helps you edit, validate, transform, and secure your XML documents - all in one place.
Screenshot: Main application window
What Can You Do With FreeXmlToolkit?¶
- Edit XML files with smart auto-completion and syntax highlighting
- Validate XML against XSD schemas to check for errors
- Transform XML into other formats (HTML, PDF, Text)
- Sign XML documents with digital certificates
- Create business rules with Schematron validation
- Generate documentation from your XSD schemas
Works On All Platforms¶
FreeXmlToolkit is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux in multiple formats. Choose the one that works best for you.
Windows¶
| Format | Architecture | Description |
|---|---|---|
.exe |
x64, ARM64 | Installer - Standard setup wizard. No admin rights required. Recommended for most users. |
.msi |
x64, ARM64 | MSI Package - For enterprise deployment and silent installation via Group Policy. |
.zip |
x64, ARM64 | Portable - No installation needed. Extract and run. Good for USB drives or restricted systems. |
macOS¶
| Format | Architecture | Description |
|---|---|---|
.dmg |
Intel (x64), Apple Silicon (ARM64) | Disk Image - Standard macOS installation. Drag to Applications folder. |
.pkg |
Intel (x64), Apple Silicon (ARM64) | Package Installer - Guided installation wizard. Useful for managed deployments. |
.zip |
Intel (x64), Apple Silicon (ARM64) | Portable - No installation needed. Extract and run the app directly. |
Linux¶
| Format | Architecture | Description |
|---|---|---|
.deb |
x64, ARM64 | Debian Package - For Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint. Install with sudo dpkg -i or double-click. |
.rpm |
x64, ARM64 | RPM Package - For Fedora, Red Hat, openSUSE. Install with sudo rpm -i or dnf install. |
.zip |
x64, ARM64 | Portable - No installation needed. Extract and run. Works on any Linux distribution. |
Note: Choose the architecture that matches your computer: - x64 - Most computers (Intel/AMD processors) - ARM64 - Newer ARM-based computers (Apple Silicon Macs, Windows on ARM, Raspberry Pi 4/5)
Feature Overview¶
XML Editor¶
Edit your XML files with professional tools:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Auto-Completion | Suggests valid elements and attributes as you type |
| Syntax Highlighting | Colors your XML for easier reading |
| Instant Validation | Shows errors immediately as you edit |
| Find & Replace | Search and replace text in your documents |
| Code Folding | Collapse sections to focus on what matters |
Learn more: XML Editor Guide | Editor Features
JSON Editor¶
Edit and validate JSON files with multiple format support:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Multi-Format Support | Edit JSON, JSONC (with comments), and JSON5 |
| Tree View | Navigate JSON structure visually |
| JSONPath Queries | Extract data using JSONPath expressions |
| Schema Validation | Validate against JSON Schema |
| Hover Information | See JSONPath and type info on hover |
Learn more: JSON Editor Guide
XSD Schema Tools¶
Work with XML Schema files:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Visual Schema Viewer | See your schema as an interactive diagram |
| Documentation Generator | Create HTML documentation from schemas |
| Sample XML Generator | Generate valid sample XML files |
| Schema Flattening | Combine multiple schema files into one |
Learn more: XSD Tools Guide | XSD Validation
XSLT Transformation¶
Convert XML into other formats:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Multi-Format Output | Generate XML, HTML, Text, or JSON |
| Live Preview | See results as you work |
| Modern XSLT Support | Uses the latest XSLT 3.0 standard |
| Multi-File Batch Processing | Process multiple XML files with one XQuery using collection() |
Learn more: XSLT Viewer | XSLT Developer
PDF Generation¶
Create professional PDF documents:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| XSL-FO Support | Use XSL-FO stylesheets for formatting |
| High-Quality Output | Professional PDF generation |
Learn more: PDF Generation Guide
Digital Signatures¶
Sign and verify XML documents:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Create Certificates | Generate your own signing certificates |
| Sign Documents | Add digital signatures to XML files |
| Verify Signatures | Check if signed documents are valid |
Learn more: Digital Signatures Guide
Schematron Validation¶
Define custom business rules:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Business Rules | Validate beyond basic XML structure |
| Visual Rule Builder | Create rules without writing code |
| Detailed Reports | Get clear validation results |
Learn more: Schematron Guide
Getting Started¶
Installation¶
- Download the installer for your operating system from the releases page
- Run the installer (no administrator rights required on Windows)
- Launch FreeXmlToolkit from your applications menu
Your First Steps¶
- Open an XML file: Use File → Open or drag a file into the window
- Load a schema (optional): Click the folder icon in the XSD Schema section
- Start editing: Type
<to see auto-completion suggestions - Validate: Click "Validate" to check your document for errors
Sample Files¶
The application includes example files in the examples/ folder to help you get started:
- xml/ - Sample XML documents
- xsd/ - Sample XSD schemas
- xslt/ - Sample transformation stylesheets
- schematron/ - Sample business rules
Troubleshooting¶
Application Does Not Start (Windows)¶
On some Windows computers, the application may fail to start or crash immediately after launch. This is typically caused by incompatible graphics drivers.
What to try:
- Update your graphics drivers -- Visit your GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and install the latest driver for your graphics card.
- Try the portable version -- If you used the installer (.exe or .msi), try the portable (.zip) version instead.
- Report the issue -- If the problem persists, please report it on the project's GitHub Issues page with your Windows version and graphics card model.
Note: Starting with version 1.6.3, FreeXmlToolkit automatically falls back to software rendering if your graphics hardware is not fully compatible. This resolves most startup crashes on Windows.
Application Looks Blurry or Slow¶
If the interface appears blurry or animations are slow, your system may be using software rendering instead of hardware acceleration. Updating your graphics drivers usually resolves this.
Keyboard Shortcuts¶
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+S |
Save file |
Ctrl+Z |
Undo |
Ctrl+Y |
Redo |
Ctrl+F |
Find text |
Ctrl+H |
Find and replace |
< |
Open auto-completion |
Enter |
Accept suggestion |
Escape |
Close popup |
Documentation Pages¶
Feature Guides¶
| Page | Description |
|---|---|
| XML Editor | How to edit XML files |
| XML Editor Features | Detailed editor features |
| JSON Editor | How to edit JSON files |
| XSD Tools | Working with XML schemas |
| XSD Validation | Validating XML against schemas |
| XSLT Viewer | Quick XSLT transformations |
| XSLT Developer | Full XSLT/XQuery development environment |
| PDF Generator | Creating PDF documents |
| Digital Signatures | Signing XML documents |
| Schematron Support | Business rule validation |
Productivity Tools¶
| Page | Description |
|---|---|
| Auto-Completion (IntelliSense) | Smart suggestions while typing |
| Favorites System | Quick access to your files |
| Template Management | Reusable code snippets |
| Schema Support | Supported schema formats |
Reference¶
| Page | Description |
|---|---|
| Security Features | Built-in protections against XML attacks |
| Technology Stack | Libraries and versions used |
| Third-Party Licenses | License information |
Need Help?¶
- Browse the documentation pages listed above
- Check the example files included with the application
- Report issues on the project's GitHub page
Quick Links¶
Editors: XML Editor | XML Features | JSON Editor | XSD Tools | XSD Validation | XSLT Viewer | XSLT Developer | PDF/FOP | Signatures
Features: IntelliSense | Schematron | Schema Support | Favorites | Templates
Reference: Security | Tech Stack | Licenses