JSONToTable

Proto File Formatter

Format and beautify Protocol Buffer schema (.proto) files

Proto File Input

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Formatted Output

Formatted proto will appear here

Enter .proto file content to format

How to Format Proto Files - Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Input Your Proto File

Start by entering your Protocol Buffer schema that needs formatting and beautification:

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Paste proto content: Copy .proto files from your gRPC projects or protobuf repositories
•
Upload proto files: Select .proto files from your computer for formatting
•
Use sample schema: Click "Sample" to load example proto file and see formatting in action ✨

Example: Unformatted Proto File

Here's a typical proto3 schema with poor formatting:

syntax="proto3";package user.service;import"google/protobuf/timestamp.proto";message User{int32 id=1;string name=2;string email=3;repeated string roles=4;bool active=5;google.protobuf.Timestamp created_at=6;UserProfile profile=7;}message UserProfile{string department=1;int32 experience_years=2;repeated string skills=3;Address address=4;}message Address{string street=1;string city=2;string state=3;string zip_code=4;string country=5;}service UserService{rpc GetUser(GetUserRequest)returns(User);rpc CreateUser(CreateUserRequest)returns(User);rpc UpdateUser(UpdateUserRequest)returns(User);rpc DeleteUser(DeleteUserRequest)returns(google.protobuf.Empty);}message GetUserRequest{int32 id=1;}message CreateUserRequest{User user=1;}message UpdateUserRequest{int32 id=1;User user=2;}message DeleteUserRequest{int32 id=1;}
Issues: No indentation, missing spaces, hard to read structure
Step 2

Automatic Proto Formatting

The tool automatically formats your proto file according to protobuf style guidelines:

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Proper indentation: Adds consistent 2-space indentation for nested elements
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Line spacing: Adds appropriate spacing between messages and services
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Syntax highlighting: Improves readability with proper structure organization
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Real-time formatting: See beautifully formatted results instantly

Example: Formatted Proto File

The same proto file, now properly formatted and beautified: ✨

syntax = "proto3";

package user.service;

import "google/protobuf/timestamp.proto";

message User {
  int32 id = 1;
  string name = 2;
  string email = 3;
  repeated string roles = 4;
  bool active = 5;
  google.protobuf.Timestamp created_at = 6;
  UserProfile profile = 7;
}

message UserProfile {
  string department = 1;
  int32 experience_years = 2;
  repeated string skills = 3;
  Address address = 4;
}

message Address {
  string street = 1;
  string city = 2;
  string state = 3;
  string zip_code = 4;
  string country = 5;
}

service UserService {
  rpc GetUser(GetUserRequest) returns (User);
  rpc CreateUser(CreateUserRequest) returns (User);
  rpc UpdateUser(UpdateUserRequest) returns (User);
  rpc DeleteUser(DeleteUserRequest) returns (google.protobuf.Empty);
}

message GetUserRequest {
  int32 id = 1;
}

message CreateUserRequest {
  User user = 1;
}

message UpdateUserRequest {
  int32 id = 1;
  User user = 2;
}

message DeleteUserRequest {
  int32 id = 1;
}
Improvements: Clean indentation, proper spacing, readable structure
Step 3

Copy or Download Formatted Proto

Get your beautifully formatted proto file ready for use! 🎯 Multiple export options available:

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Copy formatted proto: One-click copying for immediate use in your projects
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Download as .proto: Save as a formatted .proto file for your repository
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Team ready: Share clean, readable schemas with your development team

Example: Benefits of Proto Formatting

Perfect for API design and team collaboration: 🔥

✓ Code Readability: Clean, consistent formatting improves code review process
✓ Team Standards: Enforce consistent proto file formatting across projects
✓ Maintenance: Easier to maintain and update well-formatted schema files
✓ Documentation: Formatted proto files serve as better API documentation
✓ Version Control: Cleaner diffs and better merge conflict resolution

What is Proto File Formatting? 📋

Proto file formatting is the process of organizing and beautifying Protocol Buffer schema files (.proto) according to established style guidelines. This includes proper indentation, consistent spacing, and logical organization of messages, services, and fields.

Well-formatted proto files are essential for team collaboration, code reviews, and maintaining large-scale gRPC services. Proper formatting makes schemas easier to read, understand, and maintain across different development teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is proto file formatting important?

Proper formatting improves code readability, makes code reviews easier, ensures consistent team standards, and helps with version control by creating cleaner diffs and better merge conflict resolution.

Does formatting affect proto compilation?

No! Formatting only changes whitespace and indentation without altering the proto schema structure, message definitions, or field numbers. Your compiled code will work exactly the same way.

What proto file versions are supported?

This formatter supports both proto2 and proto3 syntax, including all standard features like messages, services, enums, imports, options, and nested definitions.

Can I format large proto files with many services?

Absolutely! The formatter efficiently handles large proto files with multiple services, complex message hierarchies, and extensive field definitions while maintaining proper structure and readability.

Is this proto file formatter completely free?

Yes, completely free with no file size limits, no registration required, and unlimited usage. All formatting features are available at no cost for all your protobuf projects.