find and replace problem

users
#1

Running LO version 4..1. Editing a three-page document which was written with double-spacing after a period.
Tried with search and replace to fix that--tried twice--and both times it came up with the same number "fixed"
but in reality in neither case were they actually fixed.
To input this, I went to the search and replace window, and on the top replace I put two space-bar pushes,
and on the bottom replace with I put one space-bar push.
What must I do to make this work?
(I can't use auto-correct because it louses up the rest of the document!)

Running LO in PCLOS KDE 64 up to date. Checked my repo and updated system today.

--doug

#2

Running LO version 4..1. Editing a three-page document which was written with double-spacing after a period. Tried with search and replace to fix that--tried twice--and both times it came up with the same number "fixed" but in reality in neither case were they actually fixed. To input this, I went to the search and replace window, and on the top replace I put two space-bar pushes, and on the bottom replace with I put one space-bar push.

The Find & Replace dialogue "helpfully" remembers items that you have previously used in the current session. You can obtain these from the drop-down list below each text box. If you start typing, items from the list will be suggested, prompting you in the text boxes themselves.

My guess is that at some point you have used a double space in the "Replace with" box and it now appears in its list. When you now type a single space, LibreOffice fills in the second space automatically. Since spaces are by their nature invisible, you may not notice the additional highlighted space. The result is that your are replacing double spaces with double spaces: that would produce exactly the effect you describe.

What must I do to make this work?

Either:
o Type the space. Press Delete to delete the suggested second space.
Or:
o Close LibreOffice to void the list.

I trust this helps.

Brian Barker

#3

Hi :slight_smile:
Why bother to replace all the double-spaces? Many people prefer it so
you are pleasing one bunch of people but annoying another whole bunch.

Imo it's more important for the document to be internally consistent.
I often get handed documents which sometimes use double and sometimes
single. Oth it might be your house style and that linked with
branding so it might be important.

It was that whole argument about changing fashions and how spaces
after a full stop 'should' (according to some) be slightly longer than
the space between words but 'should not' (according to others) be
quite as much as a double-space

Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#4

I use "copy/paste" in the boxes.

I copy the "double space", and then paste it in the find box. Then I just copy a "single space" and put it in the replace box. Then I would click the "replace all" button. That may work for you.

I rarely type in the "find text" for a "replace all" option. It seems easier to just do a copy/paste of the first "text" needing changing.

Actually, I know there are a few different "spaces" out there with different widths. Hopefully that should not be your case.

#5

Then you are wasting your time. Even more easily, you can select the required text before opening the Find & Replace dialogue. You will then find the selected text already in the "Search for" box: no need to copy and paste.

I trust this helps.

Brian Barker