Autoformat pom.xml without using m2eclipse plugin

Question

I don't use the Eclipse maven plugin while developing in Eclipse.

I generate my Eclipse classpath externally using the following command:

mvn eclipse:eclipse

This has worked fine for quite some time and I am not inclined to add a maven plugin.

However, I would like to be able to "autoformat" my pom.xml file.

My pom.xml is not showing up as a "Source" file and therefore the contextual "Source" menu doesn't show up.

Control-Shift-F doesn't work either.

Is there a way to do this without installing the m2eclipse plugin? Is there any other generic "XML Editor" plugin that can help with this?

Murphey

Answer 1

I may be missing something obvious but why don't you use Eclipse's built-in XML Editor which supports formatting (via the regular Shift+Ctrl+F)?

Acaricide

It doesn't work for me. I mentioned that in the question. Will highlight it. – Murphey

Ctrl-Shift-F appears to work only for "Source" files. Since the pom.xml is not a source file, it doesn't work for it. – Murphey

@Murphey It definitely works for me with any XML file when I open them with the XML Editor which is part of Eclipse for Java (right-click on an XML file then Open With > XML Editor). If you don't have it, install it (I think it's part of Eclipse WTP). – Acaricide

Sorry. It works with XML Editor. My eclipse was opening it with the standard text editor for some weird reason. Thanks. – Murphey

This level of complexity is not easy to understand. – Bradwell

Answer 2

So, I found a way -

1. Select source of pom.xml (ctrl+A).
2. Click right button of mouse.
3. Then click Source > Cleanup Document.
4. Check "Format Source" in popup and uncheck all other options.

it's Done!! :)

Leupold

Answer 3

Use ctrl + shift + F keys together, for me left side of ctrl + shift key combination of laptop did't work I tried with right side combination and it worked.

Situs

Answer 4

This problem occurs only when we open in text editor. Solution works when we open the pom.xml in xml editor and use the short cut commands as shft+ctl+F

Toshiatoshiko