TAB like typewriter time
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Hi
Although NotePad++ works with text files, is it possible and interesting to configure the [TAB] key to tab at the column setup level instead of the number of spaces or “tabs” when pressed (also)?
I work a lot with text and find it easier than saving it in an Excel spreadsheet just because of this feature to align the right side with successive [TABs] at specific collumn.
In a hypothetical example, I save two fields: the website name and its URL. What if I could type the name and press the [TAB] key once to go straight to column 80?
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The Elastic Tabstops plugin comes close to doing what you want. I don’t personally use it, but if I remember correctly, it doesn’t allow a specific column (like 80), but it can make sure that the TAB always gives enough space so that the tab-separated fields will line up properly, even as one line has a given field that’s longer than the others.
I’d give it a try, and see if it’s sufficient for you. (It can be installed through Plugins > Plugins Admin, checkmark Elastic Tabstops, and hitting Install)
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@PeterJones
Thank you for your help.I will continue trying to find a setting to make this plugin work properly, since it seems that the font type affects the tabbing and does not position in the specified column
regards
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@Valtécio said in TAB like typewriter time:
I will continue trying to find a setting to make this plugin work properly
At the risk of this sounding like bad-mouthing and self-promotion:
In my opinion, the current ElasticTabstops plugin is worthless. Three years ago, its creator wanted to take over the name of the existing ElasticTabstops plugin for his new version. The author of the older version conceded that he didn’t have time to maintain it and gave his blessing to the change. The new author then put up one version and promptly abandoned it. Issues are ignored and there is no evidence of any intention to correct its problems.
In April of 2023 I released a plugin named Columns++. Among other functions, it includes an implementation of Elastic tabstops.
If you want to try an Elastic Tabstops implementation as a possible improvement to your workflow, I recommend the one in Columns++. You can install it from Plugins Admin. I strongly recommend uninstalling the other one first.
