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Poor SQL

poorsql.com

Free plan Open source WebWindowsLinuxAPIBrowser extension
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Spec score 9.0 #1 of 26 in SQL Linters and Formatters

What it is

Poor SQL reformats and colorizes T-SQL according to settings such as indentation, tab spacing, maximum width, and where statements and clauses break. It can expand comma lists, boolean and CASE expressions, and JOIN ON sections. Formatting runs in the browser, including offline, and the site says submitted SQL is not sent to an external service. Output views include input SQL, formatted SQL, and HTML source. An obfuscation and minification option can vary colors, line lengths, and keyword case, or substitute keywords. 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 supports Microsoft.NET and Mono; its JavaScript library works in browsers and contexts such as Node.js. The project describes its parsing as coarse rather than full, especially for DDL. The free plan is free. Settings are remembered with a cookie; blocking cookies restores defaults on each visit.

Spec sheet

What it does
Poor SQL reformats and colorizes T-SQL according to user-selected formatting preferences.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Integrations
Downloads include plugins for SQL Server Management Studio, Visual Studio, and WinMerge.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Support
Users are directed to contact Tao Klerks by email or file issues in the GitHub issue tracker.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
API component
The project includes a web service alongside its demo WinForms program, add-ins, command-line utility, and plugins.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Changelog event
Version 1.6.10 in November 2017 added Atom and Visual Studio Code plugins and fixed several formatting and installer issues.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command line
A command-line bulk formatter is available for download.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Command-line limitation
The Node command-line tool does not currently produce syntax-highlighted HTML output.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command-line package
The Node command-line formatter installs globally with npm and accepts stdin, files, configurable formatting options, and output files.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command-line performance
The Node command-line implementation reports roughly half a second to format one query on the author’s laptop and describes itself as slower than the .NET formatter.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Comment limitation
The standard formatter can move comments from their original positions in some compound keywords.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Community rating status
Open Hub shows no user rating yet and invites the first rating.Read 14 Oct 2026 · openhub.net
Cookie behavior
Formatting preferences are remembered in a cookie; blocking cookies restores default settings on each visit.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Data handling
The site says SQL submitted for formatting is not sent to any external service and is processed in the browser.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
DDL limitation
DDL parsing is described as very coarse and limited to the minimum needed for ordered declarations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Dialect support
The project is focused on Microsoft T-SQL; support for other SQL dialects is possible but none is implemented as a dedicated dialect.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Editor integrations
Downloads and repositories provide integrations for SSMS, Visual Studio, Notepad++, WinMerge, Atom, and Visual Studio Code.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
External institutional mention
A UCSF VA data-resources document lists Poor SQL as a SQL formatting tool among its SQL resources.Read 14 Oct 2026 · chime.ucsf.edu
Formatting controls
Controls include indentation, tab spacing, maximum width, statement and clause breaks, comma-list expansion, boolean and CASE expansion, and JOIN ON breaks.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Independent comparison
A Korean SQL Server formatter comparison describes Poor SQL as an instant formatter with configurable options and says it targets SQL Server syntax.Read 14 Oct 2026 · windtrap.tistory.com
Independent mention
J.D. Hodges lists Poor SQL as a free online alternative for formatting SQL Server queries when SQL Server 2008 lacked a comparable built-in feature.Read 14 Oct 2026 · jdhodges.com
Installation limitation
The same comparison reports that using the SSMS 2012 add-in required manually copying an AddIn file into the user’s roaming Addins folder.Read 14 Oct 2026 · windtrap.tistory.com
Library
The underlying Poor Man’s T-SQL Formatter is a free .NET and JavaScript library with a demo UI, web service, command-line utility, and editor plugins.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Library contexts
The library works with Microsoft .NET and Mono, and the JavaScript library works in browsers and other contexts such as Node.js.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Licence
The project is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: detail
The same Curated SQL review says the website is not as detailed as the reviewer wanted, despite being effective for quick formatting.Read 14 Oct 2026 · curatedsql.com
Local processing
The website says formatting happens entirely in the browser and SQL is not sent to an external service.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
NuGet distribution
A NuGet package targets .NET Framework 2.0 and is compatible with later .NET Framework targets through 4.8.1.Read 14 Oct 2026 · nuget.org
Obfuscation
An obfuscation/minification mode can randomize colors, line lengths, keyword case, and keyword choices.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Offline use
The site is designed to keep working without an internet connection.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Open Hub activity
Open Hub reports 248 commits, four contributors, and no commits in the preceding 12 months at the time of its September 2026 analysis.Read 14 Oct 2026 · openhub.net
Open Hub project summary
Open Hub describes the project as a T-SQL formatting library, command-line tool, SSMS plugin, Notepad++ plugin, desktop app, and online formatter.Read 14 Oct 2026 · openhub.net
Open Hub security
Open Hub reports no vulnerabilities for the project’s last ten releases.Read 14 Oct 2026 · openhub.net
Open source
The Poor Man's T-SQL Formatter library is open-source and AGPL-licensed.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Output modes
The interface provides Input SQL, Formatted SQL, and HTML Source views.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Output views
The interface provides input SQL, formatted SQL, and HTML-source output views.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Parser scope
The project describes its parser as coarse rather than a full SQL parser.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Parsing limitation
The project says it performs coarse parsing rather than full SQL parsing, with especially coarse DDL parsing.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: speed and usefulness
Curated SQL quotes a reviewer who says the formatter makes poorly written queries understandable in seconds and is useful for quick formatting.Read 14 Oct 2026 · curatedsql.com
Primary use
Poor SQL reformats and colorizes T-SQL code according to user preferences.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Runtime support
The library works with Microsoft .NET and Mono, while the JavaScript library runs in browsers and Node-style contexts.Read 14 Oct 2026 · github.com
Settings storage
Formatting options are remembered with a cookie; blocking cookies restores default settings each visit.Read 1 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
Share links
Small formatted queries can receive a shareable result link, and input can be supplied through an inputString query parameter.Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com
VS Code integration
The VS Code extension uses the npm JavaScript library and exposes formatter settings through the VS Code settings UI.Read 14 Oct 2026 · marketplace.visualstudio.com
VS Code status
The VS Code listing says its documentation and automated testing need substantial work and that JavaScript performance still needs improvement.Read 14 Oct 2026 · marketplace.visualstudio.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free online formatting · offline formatting · SSMS/Visual Studio plugin · command-line formatter · WinMerge plugin Read 14 Oct 2026 · poorsql.com

Every Poor SQL plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Formats T-SQL with configurable layout controls
  • Formatting runs locally, including offline
  • Submitted SQL is not sent externally, according to the site
  • Plugins and command-line bulk formatter are available
  • Open-source library is AGPL-licensed

Limits

  • Parsing is coarse rather than full
  • DDL parsing is especially coarse
  • Blocking cookies restores default settings each visit

Who it suits

It suits people formatting T-SQL who want configurable browser-based formatting, offline use, or downloadable plugins and tools. Its coarse parsing, especially for DDL, may matter to users expecting full SQL parsing.

Verdict

Poor SQL combines local T-SQL formatting with configurable output and several downloadable integrations. Its stated parsing limitation is important for users working with DDL or expecting full SQL parsing.

Where Specifiction places it

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