Poor SQL is a free tool for reformatting and colorizing T-SQL according to chosen settings. Formatting runs in the browser, and the site says SQL submitted for formatting is not sent to an external service; it can also work offline. Controls include indentation, tab spacing, maximum width, statement and clause breaks, comma-list expansion, boolean and CASE expansion, and breaks within JOIN ON sections. An obfuscation and minification option can randomize colors, line lengths and keyword case, or substitute keywords. Results are available in input SQL, formatted SQL and HTML source views. Downloads include plugins for SQL Server Management Studio, Visual Studio and WinMerge, plus a command-line bulk formatter. The open-source Poor Man's T-SQL Formatter library is AGPL-licensed and works with Microsoft .NET and Mono; its JavaScript library supports browsers and contexts such as Node.js. The project describes its parsing as coarse rather than full, particularly for DDL. Settings are remembered with a cookie, so blocking cookies restores defaults each visit.
Who it is for
It suits T-SQL users who want browser-based formatting, configurable layout controls or downloadable plugins and command-line tools. Developers looking for full SQL parsing, especially for DDL, should note the stated parsing limitation.
What is good
- Formats T-SQL online or offline.
- Formatting is processed in the browser.
- Offers controls for indentation and line breaks.
- Includes plugins and a command-line formatter.
- Open-source library is AGPL-licensed.
What to know first
- Parsing is coarse rather than full, especially for DDL.
- Blocking cookies resets settings to defaults each visit.
- Supported SQL dialect is T-SQL.
Verdict
Poor SQL offers a broad set of formatting controls and several ways to use the formatter, at no charge. Its coarse parsing and cookie-dependent settings may matter for some workflows.
Poor SQL plans and pricing
All plansCompared on SQL linters and formatters
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported SQL dialects
- T-SQL
- Automatic fixes
- Yes
- Custom rules
- No
- Editor extensions
- Yes
- CI/CD integration
- No
- Configuration file
- No
