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How to Format HCL - Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Input Your HCL/Terraform Configuration

Let's get your HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language) into the formatter! Whether you're working with Terraform infrastructure code, need to format Terraform modules, or want to beautify your configuration files, you have several convenient options:

•
Paste directly: Copy your Terraform configuration or HCL code and paste it into the input editor
•
Upload a file: Click "Upload" to select a .tf, .hcl, or .txt file from your computer
•
Try the sample: Click "Sample" to load example Terraform configuration and see how the formatter works

Example: Unformatted HCL Input

Here's what messy, unformatted Terraform configuration looks like:

resource "aws_instance" "web" {ami="ami-123456"
instance_type="t2.micro"
tags={Name="WebServer"
Environment="prod"}}
Step 2

Automatic Formatting & Validation

The magic happens instantly! As soon as you input HCL configuration, the formatter automatically:

•
Validates syntax: Checks for basic structural errors and provides helpful feedback
•
Adds proper indentation: Makes nested resources and blocks easy to read
•
Syntax highlighting: Color-codes different elements for better readability

Example: Beautifully Formatted Output

The same Terraform configuration, now properly formatted and readable:

resource "aws_instance" "web" {
  ami           = "ami-123456"
  instance_type = "t2.micro"
  
  tags = {
    Name        = "WebServer"
    Environment = "prod"
  }
}
Step 3

Choose Format Options

Customize your output based on your needs! The formatter gives you control over how your HCL appears:

•
Pretty format: Default beautified HCL with proper indentation (2 spaces)
•
Minify option: Click "Minify" to compress HCL by removing unnecessary whitespace
•
Syntax highlighting: Terraform-specific syntax colors make code easier to understand
Step 4

Export Your Formatted HCL

Get your perfectly formatted Terraform configuration ready for use! Multiple export options make it easy to integrate into your workflow:

•
Copy to clipboard: One-click copying for quick pasting into your code editor or terminal
•
Download as file: Save as a .tf file for use in your Terraform projects
•
Real-time validation: Green checkmark confirms your HCL is properly formatted and ready to use

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I format messy Terraform/HCL configuration?

Simply paste your unformatted HCL or Terraform code into the formatter. The tool automatically adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to make your configuration readable and follows Terraform best practices.

Can I both format and minify HCL in the same tool?

Yes! Switch between "Pretty" mode for readable formatting and "Minify" mode for compressed configuration. Perfect for development (pretty) and sharing compact code snippets (minified).

Does the formatter validate Terraform syntax?

The formatter performs basic syntax validation and shows clear feedback if it detects structural issues. For complete Terraform validation, you can also use our HCL Validator or convert to JSON format for deeper analysis.

Can I format large Terraform files and modules?

Absolutely! The formatter handles large HCL files efficiently, including complex Terraform modules with nested resources. You can format entire configuration files or specific blocks - whatever you need.

Is the formatted HCL compatible with all Terraform versions?

Yes! The formatted HCL maintains standard syntax compatibility with all Terraform versions. The formatting follows official Terraform style conventions, making it work seamlessly with terraform fmt and your CI/CD pipelines.

Is the HCL formatter completely free?

Yes, totally free with no limitations on file size, usage frequency, or features. No registration required, and you can format unlimited Terraform/HCL files with full syntax highlighting.

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