TextEdit application, Using Find and Replace

I tried to locate an area for TextEdit in the forums, I hope this works, if not can someone point me to a better forum category?

Unlike other text applications there is no obvious way to insert tab, return or page break characters into the replace field so that I can execute a find and replace. I had hoped there would be a pull down menu or something in Text Help about this issue, but nothing I could find.

I tried what is used in other text applications "^t" but instead of putting a tab character it just put ^t

I am stuck trying to get a text file worthy of import to database application.

Thanks so much for any help.