#232 · Formatters & Data Text Tool

Indent Converter

Convert indentation style safely between tabs and spaces. Detect mixed indentation, normalize leading whitespace, preserve text content, and export clean code or text.

Text Input

Indent conversion options
cols

Recent History

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How to use this text tool

  • Paste code or structured text.
  • Choose the target indentation style.
  • Set the current tab width used to interpret tabs.
  • Run the converter and check mixed-line warnings.

What this tool does

This tool rewrites leading indentation so code and structured text follow a chosen style without changing the main text content.

Analyze leading whitespace on each line, estimate indent depth from the selected tab width, rebuild each indent using the target style, and report converted lines.

Alignment spaces inside a line are preserved unless they are part of the leading indentation.

Example

Sample input is included in the text box. Run the tool to see the processed output and the before/after statistics.

Use cases

  • Clean pasted code before review.
  • Normalize formatting before committing files.
  • Prepare text for editors, terminals, documentation, or data exchange.
  • Compare before and after structure using the result metrics.

Tips for better output

  • Use 2 spaces for compact web files and 4 spaces for many general codebases.
  • Use tabs only when your project explicitly requires them.
  • Review alignment-heavy text after conversion.

Processing details

The tool runs in the browser and focuses on safe whitespace, indentation, wrapping, line ending, or column formatting depending on the selected tool.

For critical code or regulated data, validate the final output with your project-specific parser, compiler, linter, or test suite.

FAQ

How do I convert indentation style online?

Paste your text, select the target style such as 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs, and run the converter.

How do I detect whether a file uses tabs or spaces?

The tool counts leading tabs, leading spaces, and mixed indentation lines to identify the dominant style.

Should I use tabs or spaces for indentation?

Use the style required by your project. Spaces are common for consistent display, while tabs are preferred in some codebases.

Can indentation be normalized automatically?

Yes. Leading whitespace can be converted to a consistent target style while preserving the rest of each line.

Why is my editor showing mixed indentation?

Mixed indentation appears when some lines start with tabs and others start with spaces or when both are used on the same line.

Processing modules

ModulePurpose
Input parserReads pasted text, uploaded files, or sample data.
Formatter coreApplies the selected conversion or formatting logic.
Quality analyzerCalculates line, whitespace, and consistency metrics.
ExporterProvides TXT, CSV, JSON, copy, and print actions.

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