diff --git a/contrib/format.py b/contrib/format.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..97d14f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/contrib/format.py
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+#!/usr/bin/python3
+#    Copyright 2016 Mirantis, Inc.
+#
+#    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+#    not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain
+#    a copy of the License at
+#
+#         http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+#    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+#    WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+#    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+#    under the License.
+#
+
+import sys
+import glob
+import os
+import json
+
+
+def usage():
+    h = """
+Format and sanitize Grafana dashboards
+
+Usage: {} <DIRECTORY|FILE>
+
+The program will:
+* Sort keys alphabetically.
+* Remove sections:
+    templating.list[].current
+    templating.list[].options
+* Override the time entry to {{"from": "now-1h","to": "now"}}
+* Enable the sharedCrosshair tooltip
+* Increment the version number
+
+WARNING: this script modifies directly the given file(s).
+
+If a DIRECTORY is provided, all files with suffix '.json' are modified.
+    """
+    print(h.format(sys.argv[0]))
+
+if len(sys.argv) != 2:
+    usage()
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+arg = sys.argv[1]
+
+if os.path.isdir(arg):
+    path = "{}/*.json".format(arg)
+elif os.path.isfile(arg):
+    path = arg
+else:
+    print("'{}' no such file or directory".format(arg))
+    usage()
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+for f in glob.glob(path):
+    data = None
+    absf = os.path.abspath(f)
+    with open(absf) as out:
+        data = json.load(out)
+    for k, v in data.items():
+        if k == 'annotations':
+            for anno in v.get('list', []):
+                anno['datasource'] = 'lma'
+
+        if k == 'templating':
+            variables = v.get('list', [])
+            for o in variables:
+                if o['type'] == 'query':
+                    o['options'] = []
+                    o['current'] = {}
+                    o['refresh_on_load'] = True
+
+    data['time'] = {'from': 'now-1h', 'to': 'now'}
+    data['sharedCrosshair'] = True
+    data['refresh'] = '1m'
+    data['id'] = None
+
+    if data.get('version', None):
+        data['version'] = data['version'] + 1
+    else:
+        data['version'] = 1
+
+    with open(absf, 'w') as out:
+        out.write(json.dumps(data, indent=2, sort_keys=True))