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Stefano Palazzo
Asked: 2011-05-07 06:39:51 +0800 CST

How do I get spaces instead of tabs in nano?

  • 772

I usually edit Python files with nano, so I need four spaces instead of a tab. How can I get nano to automatically insert spaces for tabs, and control how many of them it inserts?

command-line

2 Answers

  1. Either create .nanorc in your home folder, including:

    set tabsize 4
set tabstospaces

    or edit the system /etc/nanorc file.

    • 41
  2. Best Answer

    From the nano Command Manual:

    -E, --tabstospaces
    Convert typed tabs to spaces.

    -T <#cols>, --tabsize=<#cols>
    Set the displayed tab length to #cols columns. The value of #cols must be greater than 0. The default value is 8.

    For four spaces, the appropriate command would therefore be nano -ET4.

    Consider creating a permanent alias.

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