Simple Trick to Replace Multiple Spaces With Single Tab Character

August 23, 2018

If you have data with multiple space characters and you wish you could replace all the multiple spaces with tab characters (I bet you want to paste it into Excel), here is a quick trick – Use RegEx in Notepad++.

If you don’t have Notepad++, download and install it.
Open the Notepad++ and paste the text into new document
Go to Search menu > Replace… (Shortcut Ctrl+R)
Paste or type "([ ]+)" (without quotes) in “Find what…” box
Paste or type "\t" (without quotes) in “Replace with…” box
Select “Regular expression” in “Search Mode” section.
Click “Find Next” button to make sure that it find the right text
Click “Replace” to make sure that it replaces it correctly. Use it multiple times before you click “Replace All”.
Once done, set the “Search Mode” to “Normal” again

Regex Explanation

Here is what Regex does in layman’s terms.

([ ]+)

Bracket () represents regex group

Square brackets [] represent individual characters within it to search for. Note that there is a space character in between [ and ].

+ represents 1 or more characters.

So it says to find a 1 or sequence of multiple consecutive space characters

\t represents a single tab character

Regex to Replace Exactly 2 Spaces with Tab Character

If you have a need to replace exactly 2 spaces, use following regex for “Find what” box.

([ ][ ])

([ ]{2,2})

Regex to Replace Exactly X Spaces with Tab Character

If you have a need to replace exactly 3,4,5,6 and so on spaces, use the following regex for “Find what” box. Replace X from regex with number of space characters you want to replace.

([ ]{X,X})

Regex to Replace X or More Spaces with Tab Character

If you have a need to replace X or more spaces, use the following regex for “Find what” box. Replace X from regex with number of space characters you want to replace.

([ ]{X})

Regex to Replace X or More But Less Than or Equal to Y Spaces with Tab Character

If you have a need to replace spaces which are X or more but less than or equal to Y, use the following regex for “Find what” box. Replace X and Y from regex with minimum and maximum number of spaces you want to replace.

([ ]{X,Y})

Comments

10 responses to “Simple Trick to Replace Multiple Spaces With Single Tab Character”

WD
October 10, 2022
Looks fine, but wondering why not \s+ instead of [ ]+.
Reply
1. Vishal Monpara
  October 10, 2022
  Hi WD,
  \s+ works and handles white space character list that includes special characters in addition to regular space. If someone with less experience in regex (or non technical person) is looking to replace a space character and want to quickly extend the same solution for other characters, they can easily understand the concept and apply the same logic as per their need.
  Regards
  Vishal Monpara
  Reply
Hasan
May 3, 2022
Hey bro, the “X or More But Less Than or Equal to Y Spaces” saved me a lot of time, thanks for sharing 👍😃
Reply
matthieu leroyer
October 28, 2021
“([ ]+)” -> “\t”
why creating a class and a group for describing a single space char ?
” +” -> “\t”
does the same
and about repetitions : {2,2} is the same as {2}
2 or more is {2,}
Reply
1. Vishal Monpara
  October 28, 2021
  Hi Matthieu,
  In this case, class is not needed and what you suggested will work. Thank you for sharing.
  Regards,
  Vishal Monpara
  Reply
Dilip S.
June 14, 2021
Hi Vishal,
Can we replace multiple tabs with different strings in Notepad++?
For example: Following is the single text line with tab delimiter
Test Test Test
I want to replace first tab with “First” string and Second tab with “Second” string like below.
Test First Test Second Test
Thanks.
Reply
1. Vishal Monpara
  June 15, 2021
  Hello Dilip,
  If you want to make this change only for one time and not in repeated/automated fashion, instead of using Notepad++, you may use Excel. As you already have data with tab delimiter, copy and paste text into Excel. Then make any changes as per your need by inserting new columns. Once done, copy from Excel and paste into Notepad++. Then replace all tabs with blank.
  If you need to make this change multiple times or want to automate it, you need to create a complex RegEx based on your data.
  Regards,
  Vishal Monpara
  Reply
Carlo
January 28, 2021
Thank you. It works in VS Code
Reply
ganesh
June 27, 2020
Thank you chad.. ([ ]{2,}) worked for me..
Reply
Chad Schultz
May 28, 2020
Based on the title of multiple spaces; the regex should be ([ ]{2,})
Reply