NormalizeSpace ( text )

Strips leading and trailing whitespace characters and replaces sequences of whitespace characters with a single space.

Average rating: 4.3 (12 votes) Log in to vote

Michael Horak - Show more from this author
*COMMENT Visual Realisation

Sample input:

NormalizeSpace ( " Some text with
multiple runs of spaces, tabs,

and carriage returns.

" )

Sample output:

"Some text with multiple runs of spaces, tabs, and carriage returns."

Function definition: (Copy & paste into FileMaker's Edit Custom Function window)

/*
NormalizeSpace function

Author
*COMMENT Visual Realisation

Format
NormalizeSpace ( text )

Parameters
text - any text expression or text field

Data type returned
text

Description
Returns text with whitespace normalized by stripping all leading and trailing whitespace characters and replacing sequences of whitespace characters with a single space character.

Whitespace characters are space, horizontal tab, line feed, carriage return and non-breaking space.

August 13, 2016
*/

TrimAll ( Substitute ( text ; [ Char (9) ; " " ] ; [ Char (10) ; " " ] ; [ ¶ ; " " ] ; [ Char (160) ; " " ] ) ; 0 ; 0 )

Returns text with whitespace normalized by stripping all leading and trailing whitespace characters and replacing sequences of whitespace characters with a single space character.

Whitespace characters are space, horizontal tab, line feed, carriage return and non-breaking space.

This function is not recursive.

Comments

		Rudy Di Maggio, Lodi, Italy Aug 24, 2016
Nice function, very well made. But, imho, it should eliminate all UNNECESSARY carriage returns exceeding the first one. I tried on a file where I save all my emails and it creates a jumble of words barely readable. I always wanted to get rid of the profusion of not needed carriage returns, but not of the ones that keeps the legibility to an acceptable minimum. Example: --- Inizio messaggio inoltrato: Da: Rodolfo Di Maggio <rodolfo.dimaggio@gmail.com> Oggetto: Progetto "Xxxxxx" Data: 8 luglio 2016 16:20:32 CEST A: xxxxxx@unibocconi.it Gent.ma Dott.ssa Xxxxx, ho ricevuto da mio f... --- It should format this way: Inizio messaggio inoltrato: Da: Rodolfo Di Maggio <rodolfo.dimaggio@gmail.com> Oggetto: Progetto "Xxxxxx" Data: 8 luglio 2016 16:20:32 CEST A: xxxxxx@unibocconi.it Gent.ma Dott.ssa Xxxxx, ho ricevuto da mio f... ----

		comment, VR Aug 24, 2016
@Rudy Di Maggio I am not sure how a function can tell the difference between a "necessary" carriage return and an "unnecessary" one. Anyway, this is not within the scope of THIS function. I suggest you post your problem in one of the forums.

Note: these functions are not guaranteed or supported by BrianDunning.com. Please contact the individual developer with any questions or problems.

NormalizeSpace ( text )

Comments

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