The expandtabs() function in python helps to replace the '\t' character with white space inside the string. The function allows specifying the amount of space required. Finally, the modified string is returned as output.
string.expandtabs(tabsize) #where tabsize is an integer value
The expandtabs() function takes a single parameter.If we need to replace multiple tab characters, then the characters before the tab are counted only when it reaches the previous tab character.
| Parameter | Description | Required / Optional |
|---|---|---|
| tabsize | A number specifying the tabsize. Default tabsize is 8 | Optional |
The return value is always a string. It returns the copy of the original string after expansion using white space.
| Input | Return Value |
|---|---|
| string | string with whitespaces |
string = 'abc\t56789\tefg'
# no argument is passed
# default tabsize is 8
result = string.expandtabs()
print(result)
Output:
abc 56789 efg
string = "abc\t56789\tdef"
print('Original String:', str)
# tabsize is set to 2
print('Expanded tabsize 2:', string.expandtabs(2))
# tabsize is set to 3
print('Expanded tabsize 3:', string.expandtabs(3))
# tabsize is set to 4
print('Expanded tabsize 4:', string.expandtabs(4))
# tabsize is set to 5
print('Expanded tabsize 5:', string.expandtabs(5))
# tabsize is set to 6
print('Expanded tabsize 6:', string.expandtabs(6))
Output:
Original String: abc 56789 def Expanded tabsize 2: abc 56789 def Expanded tabsize 3: abc 56789 def Expanded tabsize 4: abc 56789 def Expanded tabsize 5: abc 56789 def Expanded tabsize 6: abc 56789 def
