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(textutils.info)unexpand invocation

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`unexpand': Convert spaces to tabs
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   `unexpand' writes the contents of each given FILE, or standard input
if none are given or for a FILE of `-', to standard output, with
strings of two or more space or tab characters converted to as many
tabs as possible followed by as many spaces as are needed.  Synopsis:

     unexpand [OPTION]... [FILE]...

   By default, `unexpand' converts only initial spaces and tabs (those
that precede all non space or tab characters) on each line.  It
preserves backspace characters in the output; they decrement the column
count for tab calculations.  By default, tabs are set at every 8th
column.

   The program accepts the following options.  Also see Note: Common
options.

`-TAB1[,TAB2]...'
`-t TAB1[,TAB2]...'
`--tabs=TAB1[,TAB2]...'
     If only one tab stop is given, set the tabs TAB1 spaces apart
     instead of the default 8.  Otherwise, set the tabs at columns
     TAB1, TAB2, ... (numbered from 0), and leave spaces and tabs
     beyond the tabstops given unchanged.  If the tabstops are specified
     with the `-t' or `--tabs' option, they can be separated by blanks
     as well as by commas.  This option implies the `-a' option.

`-a'
`--all'
     Convert all strings of two or more spaces or tabs, not just initial
     ones, to tabs.