Sublime Text 2: Creating a shortcut key for converting tabs to spaces

Hi! Actually, I have this habit of having all my codes/scripts indented using spaces, instead of tabs. But, obviously tapping spacebar 4 times instead of tapping tab button once, tab button is easier.

Let me show you an example, if you still did not follow what I’ve just said previously.

//example of space indentation
....function.test.(){
........echo.'Hello World';
....}
 
//example of tab indentation
—function.test.(){
——echo.'Hello World';
—}
 
// [.] is equal to 1 white space, [..] equal to 2 white spaces, and so on

Now you see? If the indentation is using tabs, it will be showed as a long hyphen (—), while spaces will be represented by dot (.) . So, I don’t want that long hyphen exist in my code as it will disrupt the codes indentation if I open the codes in other Text Editor. (Some text editor really messed up my code indentation badly if I use tabs)

Having said all that, I’ll use tab every time I indent my code since, obviously, it’s easier. Sublime Text 2 have this features where you can converts all tabs to spaces, and vice versa. I really do love this feature. But, by default, this converter didn’t have a shortcut key assigned to it. Which, in my case, who really do love using shortcut key, is a bit of a hassle when I need to click View > Indentation > Convert Indentation to Spaces. Switching from keyboard to mouse/trackpad slows me down.

Ok. enough explanation. let’s get to the main point. List of things to do to make a shortcut key for this matter.

1. Create our own custom package
2. Bind shortcut key to run that package

Creating our own Custom Package

1. Fire up the Preference finder  (ctrl+shift+P) and look for Browse Package. You’ll be popped up with the Packages folder.
2. Create a new folder (name it as you wish) in the Packages folder. In this example, I’ll name it as “TabSpaceConverter”.
3. Create a new file named “convert_tabs_to_spaces.py”. Upon creating this new file, you’ll notice a similar filename with the .pyc extension will be auto-created. Don’t panic. it’s normal. Just leave it be.
4. Open that File and paste below code:

   import sublime, sublime_pluginclass ConvertTabsToSpaces(sublime_plugin.TextCommand): def run(self, edit): self.view.run_command('expand_tabs', {"set_translate_tabs": True})

5. Don’t forget to save the code!

Next, binding the function to a shortcut key

1. Go to menu bar. Preferences > Key Bindings – User.
2. Add the command and keys as you prefer it to be. See example below:

   { "keys": ["ctrl+alt+s"],  "command": "convert_tabs_to_spaces" },

3. And, try it for yourself!

If you prefer tabs instead of spaces, you could follow again step 3 – 5 for the custom package, and add another shortcut key for it in the Key Bindings – User. Use below code:

import sublime, sublime_plugin
 
class ConvertSpacesToTabs(sublime_plugin.TextCommand):
def run(self, edit):
self.view.run_command('unexpand_tabs', {"set_translate_tabs": False})

Key Bindings – User:

{ "keys": ["ctrl+alt+t"],  "command": "convert_spaces_to_tabs" },

Tutorial Source : StackOverflow

Hope that’ll help you as well.