[Python] Vim: Fix python indentation Error

source: https://iqbalnaved.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/vim-tip-how-to-fix-python-exception-indentationerror/

 

 

When it has an error due to the indentation (see following message)

 

>> TabError: inconsistent use of tabs and spaces in indentation <<

 

it can be resolved in vim editor by the following steps.

 

The problem is usually with mixup in tabs and spaces –

 

Solution 1

1. Apply following command in Vim to highlight tabs, spaces and other whitespace differently.

 

> :set listchars=tab:>-,trail:-,eol:$ list

 

2. Apply the following to set correct width

 

> :set shiftwidth=4 tabstop=4 expandtab

 

3. running

 

> :retab

 

Solution 2

1. set ‘list’, so that you can see the whitespace and change.

Have the following mapping in .vimrc for this:

 

nnoremap    <F2> :<C-U>setlocal lcs=tab:>-,trail:-,eol:$ list! list? <CR>

 

2. Ensure ‘expandtab’ is reset, check using following command –

 

:verbose set ts? et?

 

3. To expand all leading spaces (wider than ‘tabstop’), use retab.

retab takes a range, so specify % to mean “the whole file”.

 

:set tabstop=4      " To match the python file

:set noexpandtab    " Use tabs, not spaces

:%retab!            " Retabulate the whole file