regex - Regular Expression Search Replace all non leading tabs with single space Notepad++ -

regular expressions have never been strong suite, need here. have text file , want replace "embedded" tabs space , 1 space x occurrences of tabs, leave "leading" tabs alone.

so line looks this:

\t\t\tthis a\t\ttest see\thow things\t  work. 

would come out looking this:

\t\t\tthis test see how things work. 

so tabs left in file @ beginning of lines , there x number of tabs @ beginning of line. can me figure 1 out?

i'm doing notepad++ search/replace use visual studio or other tool if work better.

find what:

(?<!\t)(?!^)\t+ 

the sequence of tabs \t+ must not preceded tab (?<!\t), , must not start beginning of line (?!^).

replace with:

<space> 

demo on regex101 (since notepad++ uses pcre, use t instead of tab clarity)