Tab and Indent Questions

User 2061555 Photo


Registered User
6 posts

In Tools > Preferences... > Customization tab > Modify Options -

I would like to know what each setting on this screen does. I have searched the documentation, as well as the forum, and can find next to nothing.

The options that I would like to know MOST about are:

(1) Auto Indent
(2) Smart tab
(3) Use tab character
(4) Block indent step size
(5) Tab Columns
(6) Tab stop

The reason I want to understand these is that I have never been able to indent code correctly without using the Indent and Unindent icons (the keyboard shortcuts are a ridiculously large grouping of keys and I can never remember them, so I use the icons).

What I would LIKE to be able to do is use the TAB key, and indent a set number of spaces every time. Right now, when I tab, it seems to tab over a random and inconsistent number of spaces each time.

I realize that I probably have an option not set correctly in Tools > Preferences... > Customization tab > Modify Options, but I have tried dozens of combinations of the listed options above, and cannot get it the way I want it (I want to tab over 4 characters each time, period. No matter what.)

Can someone please point me to some documentation on the 6 options I listed above? Or explain them? Or tell me the correct combination of settings to get my 4 space tab?

Thanks much.
User 2061555 Photo


Registered User
6 posts

Anything? Anyone?
User 117361 Photo


Ambassador
6,076 posts

Have you tried looking through the pdf help file for more detailed information?
User 2061555 Photo


Registered User
6 posts

Yes, I did.
There is basically nothing there on these features.
I normally would solve my issue by experimenting.
But I can't seem to see a pattern on the various combinations of settings.
It is annoying, but liveable...
User 187934 Photo


Senior Advisor
20,181 posts
Online Now

Tab Stop
Is the amount the cursor will move when you hit the tab key.
Tab Columns
Is the hard amount for a tab stop. Set your tab stop to 1 then set columns to what you would need. 10 20 30 40 etc.
I can't hear what I'm looking at.
It's easy to overlook something you're not looking for.

This is a site I built for my work.(RSD)
http://esmansgreenhouse.com
This is a site I built for use in my job.(HTML Editor)
https://pestlogbook.com
This is my personal site used for testing and as an easy way to share photos.(RLM imported to RSD)
https://ericrohloff.com
User 198982 Photo


Registered User
14 posts

So I'm having the same problem as "munman" above and I ended up here when I did a search to try and figure out what I'm doing wrong. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to have been answered either. I guess I will continue to use spaces instead of tabs. :-/

Julie
User 2513449 Photo


Registered User
1 post

Same problem, how do I get to a prompt where I can set tab stops and columns?
Kent Åsberg
@beablanche (on Twitter)
http://beacon.se
User 2147626 Photo


Ambassador
2,958 posts

Kent, please take a look at the attached picture. All you need to do is select 'Tools' from the main menu, come down and select 'Preferences', then select the tab that says 'Customization' then select the tab that says 'Modify options'.

Kind of a pain to get to, but once there you can set all you tab options a a few other things I think.

http://gunsmoke.me/cloud/graphics/htmleditor.png
Graphics for the web, email, blogs and more!
-------------------------------------
https://sadduck.com
User 187934 Photo


Senior Advisor
20,181 posts
Online Now

"Tools"
"Preferences"
"Customization"
"Modify options..."


I can't hear what I'm looking at.
It's easy to overlook something you're not looking for.

This is a site I built for my work.(RSD)
http://esmansgreenhouse.com
This is a site I built for use in my job.(HTML Editor)
https://pestlogbook.com
This is my personal site used for testing and as an easy way to share photos.(RLM imported to RSD)
https://ericrohloff.com
User 2147626 Photo


Ambassador
2,958 posts

Must be the drugs, I think I'm getting faster...well...maybe not :P
Graphics for the web, email, blogs and more!
-------------------------------------
https://sadduck.com

Have something to add? We’d love to hear it!
You must have an account to participate. Please Sign In Here, then join the conversation.