Using Google Sheets’ REGEXREPLACE, how do I modify a regex to only substitute spaces preceding digits? For instance:
=REGEXREPLACE(A1, "\s(?=\d)", "ç")
The formula you provided almost gets it right. In my experience, if there might be multiple spaces before a digit, it helps to use a plus quantifier. This would change the regex to device that matches one or more spaces right before a number without any unnecessary capturing. Essentially, the regex becomes “\s+(?=\d)”. This ensures that any group of spaces that is immediately followed by a number is replaced, while the digits themselves remain untouched. Adjust based on whether you need to replace a single space or multiple spaces.
In my experience, working with Google Sheets’ REGEXREPLACE to target spaces just before digits requires careful attention to potential edge cases. I found that a precise regex pattern can help reduce unexpected replacements, especially when input strings have varying numbers of spaces or are formatted inconsistently. Experimentation in different contexts was key; I tested the pattern on strings starting with multiple spaces and verified that the digits remained intact. This hands-on approach allowed me to fine-tune the regex and confidently adapt it for various scenarios without interfering with desired digits.
hey, i tried another approach - using the same lookahead but ensuring i avoid unnecessary spaces. in my tests, ‘\s+(?=\d)’ worked well enough. a vibe is to double check your data for extra spaces that could throw off the regex.