Replace any number of spaces using regular expressions

How can I replace any number of consecutive spaces, with, for example, a tab in a text editor supporting regular expressions (like Notepad++)

To clarify: Replacing every occurrence of one or more spaces, with (for example) a tab. All spaces will be gone after substitution.

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2 Answers

How do I replace any number of spaces using regular expressions

Notepad++ Solution

To match one or more space characters:

• Set "Find what" to + (space followed by +)

To match one of more whitespace characters (space, EOL, and tab all count as whitespace):

• Set "Find what" to \s+

  Warning: Using \s+ will match end of line and therefore join multiple lines together (separated by the "replace with" string)

To replace with a tab character:

• Set "Replace with" to \t

To enable regular expression (so the above special codes will work)

• Select "Regular expression".

Source How to use regular expressions in Notepad++ (tutorial)

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Taken from here:

Use as "find" expression:

 {1,}

namely a space followed by {1,}.

To replace with tab, enter ^t in the replace box. Don't forget to activate regular expressions.

This link covers the syntax of the given regex. Below is an extract of a relevant part.

{n,} Matches when the preceding character occurs at least n times, for example, ba{2,}b will find 'baab', 'baaab' or 'baaaab' but NOT 'bab'. Values are enclosed in braces (curly brackets).

For the records, it has been tested on notepad++ (See here, courtesy of barlop). You can also put a \t in the replace box.

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