# 
#  Overview

If you want to specify the space in the string but you're uncertain about the amount of space required, Python has an efficient way to handle white spaces between the strings. You can use the **`expandtabs()` function** for this purpose. 

##
## The `expandtabs()` function

`expandtabs()` is a built-in method that substitutes and expands the `\t` (tab character) between the string, with respect to the amount of white space provided as an argument.

#   
## Syntax

---
```
string.expandtabs(size)
```
---

## Parameters

The syntax above represents the `expandtabs()` function. The function takes an optional parameter `size` that specifies the amount of space that should be between the strings. 

The parameter is of type `Integer` and has a default size of $8$. 

#    
## Code
### Example 1
In this example, we use the `expandtabs()` function without an argument.

sample_str = 'No\targ\twas\tpassed'

result = sample_str.expandtabs()

print(result)

#    
## 
### Explanation

The sample code above demonstrates the use of the `expandtabs()` function without an argument. 
* The first tab character `\t` is at position $2$ and has a default tab `size` of $8$ because no argument was passed to it. 

* The function then replaces the tab character `\t` with whitespace until the next tab stop. 

* The number of whitespaces after `"No"` will be $6$ because of the difference between the position of the first tab character $(2)$ and the first tab stop $(8)$.

* The next tab stops are the multiples of the default tab `size` $(8)$. Hence, the next tab stops are $16, 24, 32, 40$, and so on. 

* The position of the second and third tab characters are $11$ and $19$, respectively. Consequently, the next tab stops are $16$ and $24$. 

* Hence, there are $5$ spaces after `"arg"` and $5$ spaces after `"was"`.

#   
## 
### Output

---
```xml
No      arg     was     passed
```
---

#   
## 
### Example 2
The example below uses the `expandtabs()` function with an argument.

sample_str = 'An\targ\twas\tpassed'

result = sample_str.expandtabs(3)

print(result)

#   
## 
### Explanation

The sample code above demonstrates the use of the `expandtabs()` function with an argument. 

* The first tab character `\t` is at position $2$ and has a tab `size` of $3$. Thus, the tab stops will be a multiple of $3$, e.g., $3, 6, 9, 12$, and so on. 

* There will be $1$ whitespace after `"An"` because of the positioned tab character at $2$ and a tab stop at position $3$. 

* While the positions of the second and third tab characters are $6$ and $12$, respectively, the next tab stops will be at positions $9$ and $15$.

* Hence, there will be $3$ spaces after `"arg"` and $3$ spaces after `"was"`.

#  
## 
### Output

---
```xml
An arg   was   passed
```
---

# 
## Conclusion

The `expandtabs()` method is very important in text-formatting where the user requirement keeps changing.

What is expandtabs() in Python?

The `expandtabs()` function in Python replaces tab characters with specified whitespace, aiding flexible text formatting.

What is expandtabs() in Python?

Overview

The expandtabs() function

Syntax

Parameters

Code

Example 1

Explanation

Output

Example 2

Explanation

Output

Conclusion

The `expandtabs()` function