What this VAST formatter does
Paste a VAST document to pretty-print it, minify it, or check that it is well-formed. VAST (Video Ad Serving Template) is the XML dialect that ad servers and video players use to describe an ad: which media files to play, how long they are, when to fire tracking beacons, and what to show if the ad fails.
Supported versions
The formatter handles VAST 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. It formats and validates the XML structure; it does not fetch the ad tag or play the creative, so you can inspect a tag without any network request leaving your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What is VAST?
VAST (Video Ad Serving Template) is an XML schema published by the IAB that standardises communication between an ad server and a video player. A VAST tag or document tells the player which creative to play and which tracking URLs to call.
Does this tool request the ad tag over the network?
No. It only formats the XML you paste. It never fetches the tag, so tracking pixels are not fired and nothing leaves your browser, which makes it safe for inspecting live tags.
Which VAST versions are supported?
VAST 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. Newer tags usually remain structurally compatible, and the formatter will still pretty-print them.
What is the difference between VAST and VPAID?
VAST describes what to play; VPAID is an older JavaScript interface that let the creative control the player. VPAID is deprecated in favour of SIMID, and this tool focuses on the VAST XML.