unexpand is a command in Unix and Unix-like operating systems. It is used to convert groups of space characters into tab characters. [1] For example: 0000000 \t \t a s d f s d f \n 0000014 $ echo " asdf sdf" | od -c. 0000000 0000020 a s d f s d f \n 0000032.

Oct 15, 2024 · To convert the leading spaces and tabs into tabs, there exists a command line utility called unexpand command. The unexpand command by default converts each space into tabs writing the produced output to the standard output.

Convert blanks in each FILE to tabs, writing to standard output. With no FILE, or when FILE is -, read standard input.

The unexpand command in Linux is used to convert spaces in a text file back to tabs. This command is particularly useful when working with text files that require a specific formatting style or when you need to reverse the effects of the expand …

Linux unexpand command. The unexpand command lets you convert spaces into tabs. Following is its syntax: unexpand [OPTION]... [FILE]... And here's how the man page describes it: Convert blanks in each FILE to tabs, writing to standard output. With no FILE, or when FILE is …

Dec 17, 2024 · The unexpand command offers a powerful means of transforming spaces into tabs in data processing and file formatting. Each of its options serves distinct purposes: from optimizing file space by reducing character count to formatting code-related files according to specific indentation guidelines.

May 4, 2019 · Linux expand and unexpand command help, examples, and additional information.

unexpand. Convert spaces to tabs, write the contents of each given FILE, or standard input if none are given or for a FILE of '-', to standard output. Strings of two or more space or tab characters are converted to as many tabs as possible followed by as many spaces as are needed. Syntax unexpand [options]... [file]... Options -a --all Convert ...

We can use the unexpand command to easily convert all of these spaces to tabs. Simply invoke the unexpand command and pass the file name as argument, like so: [savona@putor ~]$ unexpand countdown.sh

Convert blanks in each FILE to tabs, writing to standard output. With no FILE, or when FILE is -, read standard input. Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too. Written by David MacKenzie. Copyright © 2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>.