Hi, I have a text file with 4 words, space delimited.I need a batch file which replaces the 2 spaces between the first 3 words with a tab, and the last space remains unchanged. Input: Mary(space)John(space)Elly(space)Linda Output: Mary(tab)John(tab)Elly(space)Linda I found this code, but it replaces all spaces with tab: @echo off & setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion (set TAB= ) for /f "delims=" %%i in (myfile.txt) do ( set row= for %%j in (%%i) do (set row=!row!%%j!TAB!) set row=!row:~0,-1! echo.!row!> myfile.txt ) Does anybody know how can I do that? Thank you! "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever" Chinese Proverb

How about: @echo off & setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion set TAB= set SPACE= for /f "delims=" %%i in (myfile.txt) do ( set row= set count=0 for %%j in (%%i) do ( set /A count=!count!+1 set char=%TAB% if !count!==3 set char=%SPACE% set row=!row!%%j!char! ) set row=!row:~0,-1! echo.!row! > myfile2.txt ) hth Elinor Hurst http://elinorhurst.blogspot.com

Super!I works great!Thank you so much! "He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever" Chinese Proverb

Meh, there's an easier way (untested): (@FOR /F "tokens=1-3*" %%a IN (myfile.txt) DO @ECHO %%a %%b %%c %%d) > myotherfile.txt

hmm... :: change 2 of 3 soaces to TAB @echo off > newfile setLocal EnableDelayedExpansion for /f "tokens=1-2* delims= " %%a in (myfile.txt) do ( echo %%a %%b %%c> newfile) goto :eof