Remove XML instructions (removeXMLProcInst)
Strips <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> and similar processing instructions at the top of the file.
What Remove XML instructions does in SVGO
SVGO applies removeXMLProcInst as part of its plugin pipeline. In SVGOMG the toggle is labeled Remove XML instructions (enabled by default). Optimization runs entirely in your browser — files are not uploaded to a server.
Use the SVGOMG optimizer with Show original to compare before and after. If output looks wrong, disable this plugin first, then re-enable related transforms one at a time.
When to enable
Almost all SVGs embedded in HTML or used as img/src or CSS backgrounds.
When to disable
When downstream tools require an XML prolog for parsing.
Watch out for
None for browsers.
Try it in SVGOMG
- Open svgomg.net and load your SVG (file, paste, or demo).
- Find Remove XML instructions in the Features panel (
removeXMLProcInst). - Toggle the plugin and compare the preview; download when satisfied.
SVGO Plugin Guide
Browse the SVGO Plugin Guide or read the full SVG optimization walkthrough on the homepage.