Sometimes, Text content needs to replace tabs with spaces.

These tutorials show how to convert tabs into spaces.

In Notepad++, the Tab is 4 spaces.

How to convert tabs to spaces in Notepad++

Following are steps by steps to convert tabs to spaces.

  • Open Notepad++
  • Select Settings Menu > Preferences , It opens popup window
  • Go to the Language tab Select File type and check the Replace by space option
  • You can change tab size to a new value here

Please see the screenshot.

Notepad++ Find and replace tabs spaces

Replace tab spaces in Notepad++ Editor

Sometimes, You want to replace a tab with spaces or commas or a new line.

Here are steps

  • Open Notepad++
  • Go to Search Menu > Replace option
  • It shows a popup dialog with Find What and Replace with text boxes as shown below

Notepad++ Find and replace tabs spaces

  • to convert tabs to spaces Provide the below values and Click the Replace or Replace All button Find what:
\t

Replace with

space
  • to convert tab to comma Provide the below values and Click the Replace or Replace All button Find what:
\t

Replace with

,
  • to convert tab to comma Find what:
\t

Replace with

\r\n

Here are characters that you can use with replacing tab character

\b is a backspace character
\n\r is a new line with a returning end
\t is the tab character