Find and Replace with space or tab

Question

Level 1

15 points

Find and Replace with space or tab

Hi,

I have a text file that has commas separating values. I saved it as a csv, but am not getting the results I need with the csv file. I'd like to replace the commas with a space or a tab.

I know how to use find replace, but I do not know how to indicate these non-printing characters. I tried the ascii code &#32 for space, but i simply get that string of characters replacing my commas.

ANy help?

Thanks

Xserve 2GHz, G5 2GHz, MBP 15", Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Mar 6, 2008 6:07 AM

Reply

Answer 1

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,819 points

Mar 6, 2008 9:38 AM in response to KW

Hello

If you want to replace space by TAB with TextEdit, it's really easy

In a new document, enter a tab
Select all
Copy to clipboard

Back to the doc to edit
cmd + F
type a space in the "find" field
paste the TAB in the "replace" field
Click "Replace All"

That's all folks.

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE jeudi 6 mars 2008 18:38:23)

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 6, 2008 8:03 AM in response to KW

KW,

You didn't say what program you were using for the Find and Replace, but I'd suggest that Pages would be your best bet. Spaces can be typed-in directly, and several other non-printing characters can be inserted from a drop-down menu.

The Insert drop-down seems to be available only in Pages, as opposed to Numbers and TextEdit.

Jerry

Reply

Answer 3

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,819 points

Mar 6, 2008 9:41 AM in response to KW

Hello

If you want to replace comma by TAB with TextEdit, it's really easy

In a new document, enter a tab
Select all
Copy to clipboard

Back to the doc to edit
cmd + F
type a comma in the "find" field
paste the TAB in the "replace" field
Click "Replace All"

That's all folks.

But, I really don't understand what is wrong with your CSV file (except if it hasn't the .csv name extension).

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE jeudi 6 mars 2008 18:40:33)

Reply

Answer 4

KW Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 6, 2008 9:43 AM in response to KOENIG Yvan

Hi

Thanks to you both for your help. I was able to use Pages to do what the first respondent suggested, but to be clear i was trying to use Numbers to do this.

There used to be a way of specifying the ascii code in the replace field. In the case of space, I believe it is &#32. It didn't work for me, but nevertheless, the suggestions did.

Mucho Gracias.

KW

Reply

Answer 5

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,819 points

Mar 6, 2008 12:08 PM in response to KW

KW wrote:
There used to be a way of specifying the ascii code in the replace field. In the case of space, I believe it is &#32. It didn't work for me, but nevertheless, the suggestions did.

Who told you that?

There is not such a feature in AppleLand.
In the fields Find and Replace
To enter a space, press the space bar
To enter a TAB, you may press alt + tab

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE jeudi 6 mars 2008 21:08:23)

Reply

Answer 6

Mar 6, 2008 11:25 AM in response to KW

KW,

Many ways to get there. Glad you're on your way.

Jerry

Reply