Convert tabs to spaces in Notepad++

To convert existing tabs to spaces, press Edit->Blank Operations->TAB to Space.

If in the future you want to enter spaces instead of tab when you press tab key:

Go to Settings->Preferences...->Language (since version 7.1) or Settings->Preferences...->Tab Settings (previous versions) Check Replace by space (Optional) You can set the number of spaces to use in place of a Tab by changing the Tab size field.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/cDrHP.png

Obsolete: This answer is correct only for an older version of Notepad++. Converting between tabs/spaces is now built into Notepad++ and the TextFX plugin is no longer available in the Plugin Manager dialog.

First set the "replace by spaces" setting in Preferences -> Language Menu/Tab Settings.

Next, open the document you wish to replace tabs with.

Highlight all the text (CTRL+A).

Then select TextFX -> TextFX Edit -> Leading spaces to tabs or tabs to spaces.

Note: Make sure TextFX Characters plugin is installed (Plugins -> Plugin manager -> Show plugin manager, Installed tab). Otherwise, there will be no TextFX menu.

Settings -> Preference -> Edit Components (tab) -> Tab Setting (group) -> Replace by space

In version 5.6.8 (and above):

Settings -> Preferences... -> Language Menu/Tab Settings -> Tab Settings (group) -> Replace by space

You need to replace \t - make sure you use extended mode!

https://i.stack.imgur.com/cp9j1.gif

Follow this procedure to convert spaces to tabs or vice-versa:

https://i.stack.imgur.com/hPQn8.jpg

The easy way:

Highlight a single tab area Copy Bring up find/replace Paste into the find field Click into the replace field and hit the space bar Then replace all.

I did not read all of the answers, but I did not find the answer I was looking for.

I use Python and don't want to do find/replace or 'blank operations' each time I want to compile code...

So the best solution for me is that it happens on the fly!

Here is the simple solution I found:

Go to:

Menu Settings -> Preferences Choose Tab Settings Choose your language type (e.g. Python) Select checkbox 'Use default value' Select checkbox 'Replace by space'

https://i.stack.imgur.com/8srV8.png

In version 5.8.7:

Menu Settings -> Preferences... -> Language Menu/Tab Settings -> Tab Settings (you may select the very language to replace tabs to spaces. It's cool!) -> Uncheck Use default value and check Replace by space.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/msdhb.png

There is no 'Edit Components' tab in the preferences setup. You need to go 'Language Menu/Tab Settings', there is an option in there to control tab behavior. You can even set it to work differently depending on the language of the file.

I follow this simple way:

Double click (Highlight) single tab (ie: \t).

Press ctrl + F (Find/repace).

You may not see \t or single tab area on Find What: field. But don't worry.

Enter a space in Replace With: field.

Click Replce All .

Done! :)

See:

https://i.stack.imgur.com/nTHxq.jpg

Note: This method applies to reverse (Replace a space by a tab) case too.

Settings > Preferences > Tab Settings Check the "replace by space". Notice above it there is Tab size: 4 Click on the four and a window will open with the option to change the value to another integer.

Put in your desired integer and press the ENTER key.

There you have it <3.

If you happen to work in a Unix environment, the expand command is what you need: