What counts as an “extra” space
Messy spacing comes from many places: double spaces typed after full stops, tabs from spreadsheets, indentation from code or email quoting, and invisible look-alikes such as the non-breaking space (U+00A0) that websites and word processors insert. These look identical to normal spaces but break searches, comparisons and character limits.
Each option tackles one source:
- Convert non-breaking & odd spaces turns the no-break space, narrow no-break space, en/em/thin/hair spaces and the ideographic space into ordinary spaces.
- Tabs to spaces replaces tab characters.
- Multiple spaces between words are always collapsed to one.
- Trim each line removes spaces at the start and end of lines (this also removes indentation).
- Max one blank line squeezes runs of empty lines.
- Remove space before punctuation fixes “word ,” and “( text )”.
Zero-width characters
Zero-width spaces and joiners don’t look like spaces at all, so they need a different tool: the Invisible Character Detector shows them and removes them safely.
Worked example
Here is what the Remove Extra Spaces returns for its built-in example. Settings used: Convert non-breaking & odd spaces: on; Tabs to spaces: on; Trim each line: on. Click Try an example in the tool above to load it, then change it as you like.
Too many spaces here . And a no-break space.
Too many blank lines above. Too many spaces here . And a no-break space.
Too many blank lines above.Questions
How do I remove double spaces?
Paste your text; every run of two or more spaces between words becomes a single space automatically.
What is a non-breaking space?
A space character (U+00A0) that prevents a line break. It looks like a normal space but is a different character, which can break searches and formulas.
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