"Indent With Tab" Setting In Notebook 7+ Has No Effect In Code Cells

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Indent with Tab Setting in Jupyter Notebook 7+: A Misleading and Frustrating Issue

Introduction

Jupyter Notebook 7+ has introduced a new setting in the Text Editor Indentation section, which allows users to choose whether to indent with tabs or spaces. However, this setting appears to have no functional effect in code cells, making it misleading and frustrating for users who prefer or require tab characters. In this article, we will delve into the issue, explore the expected and actual behavior, and discuss the environment in which this problem occurs. We will also outline the request to resolve this issue and provide a possible solution.

Expected Behavior

When the "Indent with Tab" setting is selected in the UI, pressing Tab in a code cell should insert a tab character (\t), not spaces. This is the expected behavior, as users who prefer or require tab characters would expect the setting to work as intended.

Actual Behavior

Unfortunately, even with the "Indent with Tab" setting selected, Jupyter Notebook code cells always insert spaces, and there's no way to configure this behavior via settings, JSON, or frontend injection. This means that users who rely on tab characters for their code will continue to experience issues, as the setting appears to be ignored by the CodeMirror configuration.

Environment

The issue is observed in the following environment:

  • Jupyter Notebook version: 7.x
  • Installed via: pip
  • CodeMirror used in code cells appears to ignore any attempt to override indentWithTabs or indentUnit configuration.

Request

To resolve this issue, we request that the Jupyter Notebook team either makes the "Indent with Tab" setting work in code cells or clarifies that it only applies to non-cell editors. Ideally, a settings mechanism (user JSON or config override) should be exposed to let users define CodeMirror behavior for notebook code cells.

Why is this Issue Important?

This issue is important because it affects users who rely on tab characters for their code. For example, Makefiles and non-PEP8 code often use tab characters for indentation. By not honoring the "Indent with Tab" setting, Jupyter Notebook 7+ is making it difficult for these users to work efficiently.

How to Reproduce the Issue

To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Open Jupyter Notebook 7+ and create a new code cell.
  2. Select the "Indent with Tab" setting in the Text Editor Indentation section.
  3. Press Tab in the code cell to indent the code.
  4. Observe that spaces are inserted instead of tab characters.

Possible Solutions

To resolve this issue, the Jupyter Notebook team could consider the following possible solutions:

  1. Make the "Indent with Tab" setting work in code cells: This would involve modifying the CodeMirror configuration to honor the "Indent with Tab" setting.
  2. Expose a settings mechanism: This would allow users to define CodeMirror behavior for notebook code cells via user JSON or config override.
  3. Clarify the setting's scope: This would involve clarifying that the "Indent with Tab" setting only applies to non-cell editors.

Conclusion

The "Indent with Tab" setting in Jupyter Notebook 7+ appears to have no functional effect in code cells, making it misleading and frustrating for users who prefer or require tab. We request that the Jupyter Notebook team resolves this issue by making the setting work in code cells or exposing a settings mechanism to let users define CodeMirror behavior for notebook code cells. By doing so, Jupyter Notebook 7+ can provide a more user-friendly and efficient experience for its users.
Indent with Tab Setting in Jupyter Notebook 7+: A Q&A Article

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the issue of the "Indent with Tab" setting in Jupyter Notebook 7+ not working in code cells. This setting appears to have no functional effect, making it misleading and frustrating for users who prefer or require tab characters. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this issue.

Q: What is the expected behavior of the "Indent with Tab" setting?

A: The expected behavior of the "Indent with Tab" setting is that when it is selected, pressing Tab in a code cell should insert a tab character (\t), not spaces.

Q: Why is the "Indent with Tab" setting not working in code cells?

A: The "Indent with Tab" setting is not working in code cells because the CodeMirror configuration is ignoring it. This means that even when the setting is selected, the CodeMirror editor is still inserting spaces instead of tab characters.

Q: Is this issue specific to Jupyter Notebook 7+?

A: Yes, this issue is specific to Jupyter Notebook 7+. In previous versions of Jupyter Notebook, the "Indent with Tab" setting worked as expected.

Q: Can I use a custom JavaScript file to override the CodeMirror configuration?

A: Unfortunately, custom JavaScript files are no longer supported in Jupyter Notebook 7+. This means that users cannot use a custom JavaScript file to override the CodeMirror configuration and make the "Indent with Tab" setting work.

Q: Is there a workaround to make the "Indent with Tab" setting work?

A: Currently, there is no official workaround to make the "Indent with Tab" setting work. However, users can try using a third-party extension or a custom kernel to override the CodeMirror configuration.

Q: Can I report this issue to the Jupyter Notebook team?

A: Yes, users can report this issue to the Jupyter Notebook team using the Jupyter Notebook issue tracker. The team will review the issue and provide a resolution or a workaround.

Q: When can I expect a resolution to this issue?

A: The Jupyter Notebook team is working on resolving this issue. However, there is no estimated timeline for a resolution. Users can follow the issue tracker to stay updated on the progress.

Q: What are the implications of this issue for users who rely on tab characters?

A: This issue can have significant implications for users who rely on tab characters for their code. For example, users who write Makefiles or non-PEP8 code may find it difficult to work efficiently without the "Indent with Tab" setting working.

Q: Can I use a different editor that supports tab characters?

A: Yes, users can consider using a different editor that supports tab characters. However, this may require users to switch to a different editor or IDE, which can be inconvenient.

Conclusion

The "Indent with Tab" setting in Jupyter Notebook 7+ is not working in code cells, making it misleading and frustrating for users who prefer or require tab characters. We hope that this Q&A article has provided users with a better understanding of the issue and its implications. We encourage users to report this issue to the Jupyter Notebook team and follow the issue tracker for updates.