TortoiseMerge How to Find Tab Character and Replace with Spaces

[Buzz]

In TortoiseMerge, how can I find all Tab characters (ASCII code 0x9) and replace them with spaces?

I'm trying to use the TortoiseMerge find dialog but I can't figure our how to specify that I want TortoiseMerge to find a tab character.  Is there a way to accomplish this task?

I've googled, searched stackoverflow, and search this Google group but I can't find an answer.

CONTEXT

I'm dealing with merge conflicts generated by another developers edits.  The other developer is always using tabs when some finals are using spaces for indentation.  I'd like to globally correct the other developers use of tabs in some files in the merge.

Thank You!

[Bruce C]

Perhaps someone else can answer the query directly. However, you might want to consider an alternative approach.

Have you considered using a code reformatting tool, such as Artistic Style? If you run the tool automatically, based on a hook, it could be used to reformat the code consistently for leading whitespace and all sorts of other factors. I've used the tool but haven't automated its use.

I've heard of developers that automatically run the tool on checkout, with developer specific settings, to reformat code to a style that they prefer. On check-in the tool is re-run, with team settings, to reformat the code to team agreed standards.

I don't need this flexibility so I haven't tested it but it seems like a plausible solution. It might be something that you could consider investigating if you don't get a more direct solution.

Hope this helps.