set tab width for less output

Question

Is it possible for less output to set the tab width to a number X as it is for cat?

You don't need to change the tabs length setting to output a file with reduced tab size. Just use `expand` instead of `cat`, like so: `expand -4 residuum.txt`. — dotancohen, Jul 30 '14 at 16:49

score 58 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 27 '15 at 10:58

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Yes, it is possible with less -x or less --tabs, e.g. less -x4 will set the tabwidth to 4.

You can configure defaults with the LESS environment variable, e.g. LESS="-x4".

edited Feb 27 '15 at 10:58

hvrauhal

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answered Jul 30 '14 at 14:29

Residuum

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Thanks for your fast response! Didn't find the option. I'll accept your answer as soon as it is possible :)! – polym Jul 30 '14 at 14:32

Stéphane Chazelas · Answer 2 · 2014-07-31T08:34:59.010

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The less-specific answer has already been given, but a generic solution (for any pager) is to expand the tabs (with space characters) with the expand command before feeding to the pager:

expand -t4 file | pager

edited Jul 31 '14 at 08:34

answered Jul 30 '14 at 14:35

Stéphane Chazelas

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Ah ok :), good to know! Works like a charm. – polym Jul 30 '14 at 14:37

score 10 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 21 '16 at 00:39

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Instead of setting the tab width in command line (before you open less). You can also set the tab width within less by typing -x4

answered Jan 21 '16 at 00:39

Sungam

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This is the answer I really needed. Who *always* knows how wide they want tabs before they even open the file? – guenthmonstr Dec 05 '16 at 19:34

set tab width for less output

3 Answers3